ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, has issued a directive mandating immediate action to stabilise the country’s national grid amid repeated failures that have left millions of citizens in the dark.
The directive, addressed to the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, and other related agencies, calls for the urgent implementation of a set of recommendations designed to prevent future grid disruptions and modernise the nation’s power infrastructure.
The move follows a significant grid disturbance on Thursday, November 7, at 11:29 a.m., when a sudden frequency spike from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz triggered a partial collapse of the power system.
While TCN reported swift action, restoring power to parts of Abuja within minutes, the ripple effects of the incident continued to affect other regions.
“The recent grid disturbance underscores the need for an immediate overhaul of our infrastructure,” said Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Power Minister on Strategic Communications and Media, on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
“The committee’s recommendations, now set for implementation, focus on achieving both immediate and long-term grid stability for Nigerians.”
Grid Collapse: An Ongoing Crisis
Frequent grid collapses have plagued Nigeria’s power sector, disrupting daily life and impacting economic productivity.
The latest directive marks a new push to address these failures, which have become routine and have diminished public trust in the reliability of Nigeria’s electricity supply.
According to the TCN, the recent grid collapse is part of a broader pattern that has persisted over several years due to ageing infrastructure, a lack of investment, and technical challenges.
Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, stated that efforts to implement the committee’s recommendations have begun in earnest.
“Our teams are working around the clock to upgrade critical components of the grid,” Mbah said, adding that “these projects include technical upgrades, repairs, and reinforcement measures that will ensure a more resilient grid system.”
Key Projects and Ongoing Improvements
Under the new directive, TCN has prioritised improvements on critical infrastructure across the nation.
Among the key projects are the technical upgrades on the 330kV Shiroro–Mando transmission line, significant enhancements at the Jebba Substation, and the restoration of the second 330kV Ugwuaji–Apir line, all designed to boost the grid’s capacity and reliability.
Mbah explained that while these essential projects are underway, Nigerians may experience temporary disruptions.
“The current upgrades are critical, and while some level of power instability may persist in the short term, these measures are intended to secure stable power for the future,” she said.
The TCN’s actions underscore the complexities and challenges of maintaining Nigeria’s vast and aging power network.
