National Grid Collapses Again as Power Generation Drops to 24MW
Nigeria’s national power grid has suffered another collapse, the first recorded in 2026, plunging several parts of the country into darkness as electricity generation dropped sharply to 24 megawatts.
The grid collapse occurred in the early hours of the day, according to industry sources, disrupting power supply nationwide and triggering widespread blackouts across major cities and rural communities.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed the incident, noting that system instability led to the sudden loss of generation. Efforts are currently underway to restore power and stabilize the grid, though no specific timeline has been given for full recovery.
Power sector analysts described the drop to 24MW as “alarming,” noting that Nigeria’s electricity demand far exceeds available supply even under normal conditions. The collapse has once again highlighted longstanding challenges in the country’s power sector, including aging infrastructure, gas supply constraints, vandalism, and weak transmission capacity.
This latest incident adds to a series of grid failures recorded in previous years, despite repeated assurances by authorities that measures were being implemented to strengthen the system and prevent recurring collapses.
Businesses, hospitals, and households were forced to rely on generators, further increasing operational costs amid rising fuel prices. Many Nigerians took to social media to express frustration over the persistent power outages and their impact on daily life and economic activities.
The Federal Ministry of Power is yet to issue an official statement, but sector stakeholders are calling for urgent reforms and sustained investment to ensure grid reliability and energy security.
