Nigeria’s national electricity grid experienced its 12th collapse in 2024, plunging the country into widespread darkness on Tuesday. The collapse occurred at 2:09 PM, just as the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, reassured Nigerians of forthcoming grid stability through the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).
The collapse, confirmed via the National Grid’s official X account, disrupted power distribution across multiple regions. Distribution companies (Discos) including Jos, Eko, Ikeja, and Abuja Discos informed customers about the outage and ongoing efforts to restore power.
For instance, Jos Disco reported, “The grid collapsed around 1:33 PM, leading to the loss of power supply to our feeders.” Eko Disco added that restoration was underway “in collaboration with critical stakeholders.”
Stakeholders React
The incident has drawn criticism and concern from multiple stakeholders.
- Forum of Commissioners of Power and Energy: The group decried the recurring collapses, emphasizing the need for decentralized power solutions tailored to states’ unique needs. “States must develop local systems to complement the national grid,” the Forum’s Chairman Eka Williams stated.
- Senate Committee on Power: Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe blamed substandard electrical materials for the frequent grid failures. At a roundtable event, he called for stricter enforcement of technical standards and collaboration between regulatory bodies.
- Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA): The agency’s CEO, Aliyu Tukur, stressed the importance of safety compliance and stronger legal frameworks to address recurring grid issues.
Minister of Power Outlines Stabilization Efforts
Despite the challenges, Chief Adebayo Adelabu expressed optimism about grid stability, citing progress under the Siemens-led PPI. During discussions with German officials, he detailed:
- Completion of 80% of the pilot phase, adding 750 MW to the grid.
- Importation and commissioning of 10 power transformers and mobile substations, with additional units set for completion by year-end.
- Plans for 14 rehabilitated substations and 23 new greenfield stations under Phase 1 of the project.
Adelabu emphasized that these upgrades would revamp the outdated grid, ensuring long-term stability. He also highlighted renewable energy as a priority, with Nigeria leveraging its natural resources and German technology to transition toward sustainable power solutions.
As Nigeria faces the persistent challenge of grid collapses, stakeholders increasingly advocate for decentralized electricity systems. States are intensifying efforts to establish localized markets, while the federal government explores collaborative measures to stabilize the national grid.
Senator Abaribe summed up the sentiment, saying:
“It is time to embrace a decentralized framework where states can effectively manage their power needs. Together, we can build a more reliable and equitable power sector for Nigeria.”
Stay tuned to 9am News Nigeria for more Breaking News, Business News, Sports updates And Entertainment Gists.
