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By Agatha Chitumu, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Nigerians are bracing for yet another potential nationwide blackout as the country’s power generating companies (Gencos) have raised alarms over the recurrent collapse of the national grid. According to the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), the grid has collapsed a staggering 162 times in the last eleven years, underscoring the fragility of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the APGC, Dr. Joy Ogaji, revealed this alarming figure during a public hearing organized by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja on Thursday. The hearing was convened to address the frequent and debilitating grid collapses, which have become a persistent issue for both electricity providers and consumers across the country.
Dr. Ogaji highlighted that the grid has failed numerous times since 2013, with several incidents already recorded this year alone. The grid collapsed on February 4, March 28, April 15, July 6, August 5, and twice on October 19 and 20, resulting in widespread blackouts and significant disruptions to the country’s economy.
“The topic we are discussing today is not new at all,” Ogaji remarked at the hearing. “A proactive solution is key in order to tackle the recurring grid collapses in the country.” She emphasized that urgent and comprehensive measures must be implemented to stabilize the grid and prevent further collapses, which have eroded public trust in the nation’s power supply system.
The ongoing grid failures have also severely impacted the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), who described the situation as not only disruptive but damaging to their reputation. Mallam Umar Sanni Bello, speaking on behalf of the DisCos, expressed concern that the frequent collapses have driven large industrial clients, such as manufacturers, to threaten severing ties with the companies due to unreliable electricity supply.
“The frequent grid collapses have embarrassed us, and it has become difficult to convince our big customers to stay with us,” Bello stated. He called for urgent reforms and investments in the power infrastructure to address the root causes of the collapses and to reassure both industrial and residential customers of a stable power supply.
The public hearing organized by NERC sought to explore the underlying causes of the persistent grid failures, and to chart a path forward for improving the stability of the national grid. Both Gencos and DisCos are urging the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize investments in the grid infrastructure to ensure more reliable electricity distribution across Nigeria.
As Nigerians face the possibility of more blackouts, the pressure is mounting on the country’s power sector to deliver a long-term solution to a problem that has plagued the nation for over a decade. Without significant intervention, the country’s power challenges may continue to hinder economic growth and the quality of life for millions of citizens.
