NATIONWIDE BLACKOUT HITS NIGERIA AS NATIONAL GRID EXPERIENCES DISTURBANCE

A nationwide blackout has hit Nigeria, affecting major cities like Lagos and Abuja, due to a disturbance in the national grid. This is the seventh time the grid has collapsed in 2024, with the last incident occurring on July 6, 2024.

The collapse occurred at 1:33 pm on Monday, with the total generation on the grid reading 00:00:00. According to the Independent System Operators website, electricity generation peaked at 4,067.77MW before declining to 823.5MW and eventually dropping to 0.00.

The affected areas include Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kaduna, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States, among others. The Eko Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the system collapse, stating that it occurred on the national grid at 10:40 am on Monday, disrupting power supply within their networks.

Minister of Power Abubakar Aliyu has held an emergency meeting with stakeholders in the power sector to address the issue of low power generation, which has caused epileptic power supply across the country. The meeting aimed to find a lasting solution to the persistent power generation challenges facing the nation.

Power distribution companies have expressed frustration over the frequent collapse of the national grid, which has resulted in significant losses for the companies. “The frequent collapse of the grid is not only embarrassing but also detrimental to our operations,” said a spokesperson for one of the power distribution companies.

The nationwide blackout has had significant consequences for businesses, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure that rely on a stable power supply. The blackout has also caused inconvenience to millions of Nigerians who rely on electricity for their daily needs.

The collapse of the national grid has once again highlighted the need for a reliable and efficient power supply system in Nigeria. The government and stakeholders in the power sector must work together to find a lasting solution to the persistent power generation challenges facing the nation.