Widespread Blackout Paralyzes Nigerian Economy as Power Outages Persist Nationwide

Overview

Widespread Blackout Paralyzes Nigerian Economy as Power Outages Persist Nationwide. Nigeria is facing a prolonged and worsening power crisis, with businesses and everyday activities disrupted across the nation due to recurring power outages. The country’s reliance on a centralized power grid has exposed vulnerabilities, leading to a national electricity generation rate that remains inadequate for both business and residential needs. This blackout is straining citizens who now contend with rising fuel costs, an overburdened economy, and insufficient alternative energy options.

National Power Generation Woes

According to data from the Nigerian Electricity System Operator, Nigeria’s electricity generation reached only 3,752.37 megawatts (MW) as of a recent report, far below the required threshold. Transmission and distribution remain challenging, resulting in frequent blackouts that impact both urban and rural communities. Citizens face economic pressure as they resort to alternative energy sources like petrol and diesel, which have surged to over N1,000 per liter.

Grid Failures Affecting Businesses Nationwide

The Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Chinyere Almona, expressed grave concerns over the continued failures of Nigeria’s national grid. She noted that the business community has recorded eight national grid collapses this year, with three occurring within a single week. These outages not only hinder economic growth but also drive up operational costs for businesses. Similarly, Dele Oye, President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), highlighted the detrimental effects of erratic power supply on production and profitability.

Northern Nigeria in Complete Blackout

Large portions of Northern Nigeria have been in darkness for days, primarily due to vandalism of key power transmission infrastructure. Reports indicate that the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line was disrupted by vandals, further complicating the region’s electricity supply. Security concerns in the affected areas have delayed essential repairs, leaving many businesses, healthcare facilities, and households without power.

Small and large businesses, especially those dependent on refrigeration, face mounting challenges. For example, a soft drinks dealer in Maiduguri, Borno State, explained that his daily costs for ice to cool drinks have doubled due to the power crisis, making it difficult to remain profitable.

READ ALSO: 10,000 oil dealers may close shop as drop in fuel consumption, high cost hit

National Leaders Raise Concern

Prominent national figures, including Atiku Abubakar, have condemned the ongoing crisis and the grid’s repeated collapses. The former vice president called for urgent intervention to restore electricity, emphasizing that swift action is crucial to mitigate the impact on Nigeria’s economy. Abubakar has proposed decentralizing the power grid, enabling states to generate, transmit, and distribute their own electricity. He argues this approach would make power more resilient and address the country’s infrastructure shortfalls.

Advocacy from Northern Groups

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has voiced frustration over the TCN’s (Transmission Company of Nigeria) handling of the ongoing power outages. They cite significant infrastructural neglect, specifically pointing to the Shiroro power line, which feeds power to Kaduna and surrounding states, as a key vulnerability. The coalition also condemned the skewed power distribution allocation, whereby Northern DisCos receive just 160 MW of a 4,249 MW capacity, while the Southwest, including Lagos, benefits from higher allocations. They call for a restructuring of Nigeria’s power distribution framework to ensure a fairer and more equitable distribution across all regions.

Transmission Company of Nigeria Responds

In response, the TCN’s General Manager for Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, addressed the issue, attributing the blackouts in the northern states to vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line. Mbah assured the public that TCN is actively coordinating with national security forces to gain access to the affected areas and make necessary repairs.

---

Join Our WhatsApp Group

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

---

Moving Forward: Calls for Decentralized Power

To address Nigeria’s enduring power crisis, experts and policymakers emphasize the need for a decentralized approach. By empowering states to manage their own electricity, Nigeria could mitigate the risks associated with the current centralized grid and ensure more stable power supply across the country. Additionally, investment in complementary transmission infrastructure is needed to improve the capacity to distribute energy from renewable and non-renewable sources.