Nigeria Experiences Blackout After Power Grid Collapses For Second Time In 2024

Nigeria experienced a nationwide blackout on Thursday afternoon due to the collapse of the electricity grid managed from Osogbo, Osun State, around 4:32 p.m.

According to a source from one of the distribution companies (DisCos), most DisCos across the country were affected, with their supply feeders down. This situation has resulted in power outages across all franchise areas for DisCos in the country's 36 states, Premium Times reported.

The grid output was 2,984 megawatts as of 4 p.m. according to the source. However, by 5 p.m., all 21 plants connected to the grid had ceased operations, with zero output.

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company issued a statement on the same day, saying the power outage happened due to a system failure.

"The system collapsed at about 16:28 hours today 28 March 2024, causing the outage currently being experienced across our franchise area," AEDC said, The Cable reported. "We appeal for your understanding as all stakeholders are working hard to restore normal supply."

In a notification to its customers, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) management stated that the system collapse led to a complete 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.

This is not the first time when Nigeria was pushed into darkness. Last year, the grid collapsed three times -- Sept. 14, Sept. 19 and Dec. 11.

Even last month, Nigeria's electricity grid collapsed in several cities and was restored later on the same day. At that time, aside from AEDC, Kaduna Electric Distribution Company also confirmed the collapse of the power grid.

In November 2013, the federal government privatized all generation and 11 distribution, companies while retaining ownership of the transmission company. This move aimed to enhance efficiency in the sector. However, since privatization, the grid has collapsed over 140 times.