Nigeria is grappling with yet another national grid collapse, marking the 12th time in 2024 that the country has plunged into darkness. The blackout affected several major cities, causing widespread disruption.
The National Grid announced the collapse in a brief statement, which read, “Major Grid Set Back has occurred! Restoration to commence.” However, no further details were provided on the cause of the collapse, leaving citizens frustrated and confused.
This latest failure adds to the growing number of grid collapses that have occurred throughout the year. As of now, the country has suffered a record 12 collapses in 2024 alone. This alarming frequency of grid failures has sparked widespread concerns over the stability and reliability of Nigeria’s electricity supply.
In the wake of this latest blackout, many Nigerians are once again questioning the promises made by the government regarding the country’s power situation.
In November, President Bola Tinubu’s administration had made a bold promise to the nation, assuring that by 2027, citizens would enjoy at least 20 hours of electricity daily. The government emphasized that this target was contingent upon significant growth and investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, made this statement during the Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa. Verheijen emphasized that the government’s goal of providing 20 hours of daily electricity would focus on urban areas and industrial hubs, which would be crucial for boosting Nigeria’s economic activities.
He said, “By 2027, Nigeria aims to ensure 20 hours of electricity daily for consumers in urban areas and industrial hubs.” His words were echoed by the State House Director of Information and Publicity, Abiodun Oladunjoye, who highlighted that this was part of a larger plan to revitalize the country’s energy sector.
However, despite these ambitious promises, the latest national grid collapse raises doubts about the government’s ability to meet its target. With the national grid failing repeatedly, many Nigerians are growing skeptical of these assurances and are questioning the steps the government is taking to address the issue.
For many businesses, especially those in industrial hubs, frequent power outages are a significant challenge. Factories and industries that rely on stable electricity face enormous losses every time the grid collapses. The lack of reliable power supply stifles productivity and hampers Nigeria’s economic growth.
“Every time this happens, we lose money,” said Chijioke Nwankwo, a factory owner in Lagos. “Our workers can’t do their jobs, and we have to stop production. It’s affecting our bottom line, and we don’t see any improvement.”
In homes across the country, the impact is just as severe. Nigerians have become accustomed to relying on generators, but the cost of fuel to power them continues to rise. This adds another layer of financial strain on families already struggling with inflation and rising living costs.
“I’ve had to turn on my generator every day for months,” said Amina Ibrahim, a resident of Abuja. “It’s exhausting and expensive. We need the government to do more than just talk. We need action.”
Experts have long criticized Nigeria’s reliance on a single, aging national grid system. The grid’s vulnerability to frequent failures has led to calls for reforms, including the development of more decentralized and alternative sources of energy.
“Until we diversify our energy sources, we will continue to face these power outages,” said Professor Emeka Okechukwu, an energy analyst. “The grid cannot handle the growing demands of the population, and it’s clear that the government needs to invest in renewable energy and other power generation alternatives.”
The national grid collapse also comes at a time when the country is preparing for significant international engagements on energy issues. With Nigeria being Africa’s largest oil producer, it is expected to play a pivotal role in global energy discussions in the coming years. However, the repeated grid failures raise questions about the country’s energy infrastructure and its ability to meet both domestic and international energy demands.
Despite the challenges, the government is pushing forward with its energy goals. The administration has emphasised that the transformation of Nigeria’s power sector will take time and requires both domestic and foreign investment.
“The path to achieving 20 hours of electricity daily is not easy, but it is achievable with the right investments,” Verheijen had remarked earlier. “We are committed to making the necessary changes, but we need the support of the private sector and international partners.”
As the blackout crisis continues, Nigerians are left wondering how long it will take for the government to fulfil its promises of consistent power supply. With 2027 still a few years away, many citizens are anxiously waiting for tangible improvements in their daily lives.
