Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies reported a “complete system breakdown” on Thursday, leading to extensive blackouts throughout Africa’s largest economy.
Power generation plummeted to zero during the early hours and had only increased to 273 megawatts (MW) by 1030 GMT, significantly below the daily average of 4,100 MW, according to data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
In Nigeria, a significant oil and gas producer, grid power supply remains unreliable, compelling households and businesses to rely on diesel and petrol generators.
The grid experienced at least four collapses in 2022, which authorities attributed to technical issues.
Nigeria possesses an installed capacity of 12,500 MW but typically generates only about a quarter of that capacity.
President Bola Tinubu has pledged to enhance power supply by permitting state governments to construct their own power plants, aiming to stimulate sluggish economic growth.