Nigerians were plunged into darkness on Wednesday following yet another collapse of the national power grid. This incident marks the 12th time the grid has failed in 2024, with reports indicating that from January to November, the grid experienced a total of 11 collapses prior to this latest event. Notably, during one week in October alone, the grid collapsed three times, leading to widespread blackouts and significant public outcry.
The official Twitter account of Nigeria’s National Grid confirmed that the collapse occurred at approximately 2:09 PM on Wednesday. The tweet stated, “The major grid setback has occurred, and the restoration is to commence,” indicating that efforts to restore power would begin shortly after the incident.
The frequent collapses of the national grid have raised serious concerns among Nigerians, who have expressed frustration over the ongoing power outages. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has attributed these failures to a combination of aging infrastructure and operational challenges. TCN Managing Director Sule Abdulaziz noted that many of the facilities are over 50 years old, contributing to the instability of the power supply.
In response to the persistent issues, the TCN has been working on a “scatter system” project, funded by the World Bank, aimed at enhancing the resilience of the grid. This project is reportedly 70% complete and is expected to significantly reduce the frequency of system disturbances once fully operational.
The impact of these power outages extends beyond mere inconvenience; they disrupt businesses, healthcare services, and daily life for millions of Nigerians. As the government continues to grapple with these challenges, there are increasing calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the power sector to ensure a more reliable electricity supply for the country.
