Blackout as national grid collapses — second time in 2024

The country has yet again suffered another nationwide blackout – the second time in three months in 2024.

The national electricity grid, centrally managed from Osogbo, Osun state, suffered a collapse at 4:30 pm on Thursday, leaving millions of homes and businesses without power.

According to various distribution companies (DisCos), their feeders became inactive, resulting in widespread blackouts across the country.

Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN’s) generation trend showed the grid collapsed at about 4 pm on Thursday and dropped from 2,984 megawatts (MW) to zero in an hour, with all 21 plants connected to the grid ceasing operations by 5 pm.

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), in a statement on Thursday, said the current power outage is due to a system failure from the national grid. 

“The system collapsed at about 16:28 hours today 28 March 2024, causing the outage currently being experienced across our franchise area,” AEDC said.

“We appeal for your understanding as all stakeholders are working hard to restore normal supply.”

In a notice to its customers, the management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) said the system collapse resulted in a loss of power supply across its network.

“We are currently working with our partners as we hope for speedy restoration of the grid. We will keep you updated as soon as the power supply is restored. Kindly bear with us,” EKEDC said.

In 2023, the grid collapsed three consecutive times in 2023. These were on September 14, 19 and December 11.