National Grid Collapse: Why Nigerians Should Brace Up for More Blackouts

By: Olufemi Orunsola

As Nigeria witnessed yet another nation-wide power outage this week, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has attributed the disturbance on the national grid to a sudden surge in frequency, which rose from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz, noting that while critical repairs and upgrades continue, intermittent instability might persist until completion.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered that the latest incident reportedly occurred around 11:20 a.m., temporarily affecting power supply to several regions.

TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, said, “This followed a series of lines and generators trippings that caused instability of the grid and, consequently, the partial disturbance of the system.“

OTN News reports that the current power outage reportedly caused by the grid collapse affected both the north and the southern parts of the country.

TCN disclosed that recovery efforts began immediately, with power restored to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja area within 28 minutes.

OTN News reports that restoration of power to other affected parts of the country has been ongoing as repairs are been carried out.

The TCN, in its official statement, clarified that the frequency spike originated from a complication at one of its substations, leading to an emergency shutdown to prevent further disruptions.

“The frequency spike was caused by issues encountered at one of TCN’s substations, which had to be shut down to prevent further complications,” the company explained.

As part of its response, TCN has also accelerated ongoing repair work on essential transmission infrastructure, including the 330kV lines along the Shiroro–Mando route and major upgrades at the Jebba Transmission Substation. Efforts are also underway to restore the second Ugwuaji–Apir 330kV line.

Additionally, the TCN stated that it is implementing recommendations from an investigative report into previous grid collapses to address system weaknesses.

“Following the submission of the investigative report on the causes of previous grid collapses, we have begun addressing the identified weaknesses in the transmission system,” the company stated.

The TCN acknowledged that while these critical repairs and upgrades continue, intermittent instability might persist until completion.

For the records, OTN News recalls that the national power grid in Nigeria has experienced disruptions no fewer than ten (10) times in 2024 alone, while roughly 230 cases of disruptions have occurred in the country.

In October 2024, within one week, the grid collapsed three times with its attendant blackouts, sparking reactions from Nigerians.

The PUNCH observed that hospitals, schools and other businesses were affected by the ugly development which many said has become a norm in the power sector.

OTN News reports that some parts of the north where power was recently restored slided back into yet another blackout yesterday following the system collapse.

Meanwhile, the blackout is taking its tolls on different aspect of national life and overall productivity of the country as hospitals, schools and other businesses were affected by the ugly development which Nigerians have come to see as a norm in the power sector.