Blackout as national grid collapses — first time in 2026

The national grid, on Friday, collapsed for the first time this year. 

According to data obtained from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), the power generation dropped to zero megawatt (MW).

The NISO data showed that load allocation to the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) dropped to zero MW as at 1 pm on Friday.

The distribution companies, including Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja, and Yola, recorded zero allocation.

In 2025, the nation’s power grid collapsed multiple times, with the last incident recorded on December 29.

The repeated system failures have occurred despite upgrades designed to increase grid capacity.

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) had said it had restored an additional 450 MW of generation capacity to the national grid following the completion of scheduled maintenance on the Geregu National Integration Power Project (NIPP) plant.

On November 9, 2025, the NISO said it partnered with the West African Power Pool Information and Coordination Centre (WAPP-ICC) to conduct a synchronisation test between Nigeria’s power grid and the wider West African power network. (The Cable)