7th November, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Nigeria’s national grid has collapsed again, marking the second time in two days, plunging the nation into widespread darkness and heightening concerns over the grid’s persistent instability.
The Nigeria National Grid announced the latest breakdown on its verified X account shortly before noon, posting, “Another grid setback experienced.”
By 12:30 pm, power generation across all Generation Companies (GenCos) had dropped to zero megawatts, resulting in a nationwide blackout.
As of 1:50 pm, only Afam VI GenCos had managed to produce 4.10 MW of electricity.
Distribution companies promptly notified customers of the grid collapse, explaining the power outages and their inability to meet demand.
This comes just two days after a similar power collapse on Tuesday, 5 November, which had cut power across the country until some areas regained electricity later that evening.
At the time of Thursday’s collapse, the grid was generating 3,315.28 MW, far below the country’s energy needs.
This marks the 11th collapse of the national grid in 2024, casting doubt on the reliability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
The ongoing instability of the power grid has stirred frustration among citizens and raised questions about the government’s plans to address the energy crisis.
Experts have warned that without urgent intervention and significant investment in power infrastructure, Nigeria’s dream of achieving stable electricity remains distant.
In the meantime, Nigerians continue to rely on costly alternatives like generators, which are unsustainable for many households and small businesses.
As the nation grapples with the effects of yet another power failure, pressure mounts on the authorities to provide a lasting solution.
