Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria experienced a nationwide power outage on Friday after the national electricity grid suffered a system-wide collapse, plunging cities and communities across the country into darkness in what has been confirmed as the first grid failure of 2026.
The disruption occurred at approximately 1 p.m., when electricity supply to all 11 distribution companies (DisCos) abruptly ceased following a sharp system disturbance that forced generation levels down to zero.
Figures from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) indicated that electricity output, which had earlier exceeded 4,000 megawatts, declined rapidly before collapsing completely, resulting in a total loss of grid power nationwide.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAn examination of the national load allocation profile showed that every DisCo recorded zero allocation at the height of the incident. Affected companies included Abuja, Eko, Benin, Enugu, Ibadan, Ikeja, Jos, Kano, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Yola, confirming the extensive reach of the outage.
READ ALSO : National Grid Restoration Begins – NISO
The grid failure occurred despite strong demand conditions in key urban centres earlier in the day. Prior to the collapse, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company was receiving about 639 MW, while Ikeja Electric had an allocation of roughly 630 MW, underscoring the scale of electricity demand across major cities such as Lagos and Abuja.
Residents and businesses in cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, Kano and Kaduna reported sudden power loss, forcing many to rely on alternative energy sources, particularly diesel and petrol-powered generators.
As of the time of filing this report, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which oversees the national grid, had not announced the cause of the system failure nor issued a timeline for full restoration. While grid recovery efforts were said to be ongoing, attempts to obtain immediate comments from TCN officials were unsuccessful.
The latest outage adds to Nigeria’s long-running struggle with grid stability. The national power system experienced numerous collapses throughout 2024, with industry records indicating at least 11 separate incidents. Further failures were recorded in September and December 2025, deepening concerns over the reliability of the transmission network.
Energy sector analysts attribute the recurring breakdowns to a combination of aging transmission infrastructure, limited system redundancy, maintenance challenges and persistent mismatches between generation and load, warning that without substantial investment and sustained reforms, nationwide outages may continue to disrupt economic activity.
Although modest gains have been made in electricity generation capacity in recent years, Nigeria’s transmission network remains a critical weak point, leaving Africa’s largest power system vulnerable to repeated disruptions.
Power restoration, according to sector sources, is expected to be phased and uneven, with consumers advised to prepare for intermittent supply as operators work to stabilise the grid.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
