Nigeria’s power grid collapsed again on November 7, barely 24 hours after a committee set up by the Federal Government to tackle the recurring issue submitted its findings.
This marks the second grid failure within a week and the tenth in 2024, leaving millions without electricity and exacerbating frustrations among citizens and businesses.
The latest collapse has had severe financial repercussions for power generation and distribution companies, already struggling with persistent grid instability.
Stakeholders in the power sector are sounding alarm bells, warning that such disruptions are likely to continue unless urgent measures are taken to address the root causes of the grid’s vulnerability.
The challenges plaguing Nigeria’s power sector include outdated equipment, inadequate gas supply, poor coordination of power plants and gas pipelines, a lack of operational reserves, infrastructure vandalism, and systemic corruption.
The National System Operator (NSO) reported that, despite a brief recovery from the previous collapse on October 6, the grid’s performance deteriorated sharply on Wednesday, reaching a peak generation of 4,360.8MW, with the lowest generation at 1,454.64MW.
By 11am on November 7, the grid was supplying 2,709.45MW, but this plummeted to a near standstill of 4.5MW by 12pm, with only two power plants—Afam VI (3.7MW) and Omoku (0.8MW)—still operational.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed that the collapse was caused by a sudden rise in frequency from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz, which disrupted the grid.
TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said recovery efforts were swiftly initiated, and by 1pm, the grid had regained some stability, reaching 104.8MW with the Azura Independent Power Plant (IPP) contributing 91MW.
Mbah also indicated that TCN was working on critical transmission line repairs and upgrades, particularly in the Shiroro–Mando axis and at the Jebba Transmission Substation.
TCN officials also acknowledged the findings of the committee, which highlighted several systemic weaknesses, and promised to address the identified issues, such as upgrading transmission infrastructure and improving coordination to ensure the grid’s resilience.
However, experts are urging the government to act faster and more decisively, with many questioning the viability of a sustainable recovery without sweeping reforms and investments in the power sector.
With the frequency of grid collapses showing no sign of easing, Nigerians are left to grapple with the impact on daily life, with disruptions to businesses, healthcare services, and public infrastructure now a recurring challenge.
