Amanze Chinonye
The latest collapse of Nigeria’s national electricity grid has once again thrown the spotlight on the country’s persistent power crisis, renewing public debate over leadership, infrastructure, and long-term planning in the electricity sector.
The nationwide blackout recorded on Friday marked the first grid collapse of 2026, coming barely weeks into the new year. The incident has revived memories of similar failures in previous years and reinforced concerns that Nigeria remains trapped in a cycle of recurring system breakdowns.
Reflecting on the trend, former Anambra State Governor, Peter Gregory Obi, described the development as a continuation of a long-standing national embarrassment. Obi recalled that January 2025 also opened with a grid collapse, followed by several others within the year, warning that the pattern now appears to be repeating itself in 2026.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBeyond the collapses themselves, Obi drew attention to Nigeria’s broader electricity access crisis. According to him, for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025, Nigeria ranked among countries with the lowest access to electricity globally, with an estimated 100 million citizens living without reliable power supply.
He contrasted Nigeria’s electricity output with that of other African countries, highlighting what he described as a stark and troubling disparity. South Africa, with a population of about 64 million, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Egypt, with roughly 115 million people, produces a similar output, while Algeria, with a population of around 48 million, generates more than 50,000 MW.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with an estimated 240 million people, generates about 5,000 MW, a figure Obi described as grossly inadequate and deeply damaging to national productivity, industrial growth, and quality of life.
According to him, the persistent power crisis is a reflection of leadership failure, arguing that the electricity sector given its central role in economic development requires technically competent, committed, and accountable leadership to function effectively.
“As we look towards 2027,” Obi said, “Nigeria must prioritise competence and empathy in leadership. The country needs leaders with the capacity and commitment to drive a genuine turnaround. Anything less is unacceptable.”
The latest grid collapse has intensified calls from stakeholders, industry experts, and political actors for urgent structural reforms, sustained investment in transmission infrastructure, and a departure from what many describe as decades of poor planning and weak execution in the power sector.
With power supply remaining a critical constraint on economic growth, analysts warn that unless decisive action is taken, grid failures may continue to undermine public confidence and stall Nigeria’s development ambitions.
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.
