Nigeria was plunged into widespread darkness on Thursday after the national power grid collapsed, forcing electricity generation to drop to a historic low of 24 megawatts.

Checks revealed that power output crashed from over 4,500MW to just 24MW by about 1:30 pm, triggering a nationwide blackout that affected homes, offices, and businesses across the country.

Industry sources confirmed that all 23 power generation plants connected to the national grid lost supply during the incident, leaving the 11 electricity distribution companies without power allocation.

As of the time of filing this report, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had yet to issue a detailed explanation on the cause of the collapse, although officials said efforts were ongoing to restore supply.

This incident marks the first grid collapse of 2026, coming barely weeks after a similar system failure recorded on December 29, 2025, which also led to widespread outages nationwide.

In recent years, repeated grid failures have been linked to technical faults, weak transmission infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, and sudden fluctuations in power generation. Stakeholders have warned that without urgent upgrades and contingency systems, such incidents may continue to disrupt the economy.

Energy experts say the latest collapse has once again exposed the fragility of Nigeria’s electricity network, raising concerns about its capacity to support industrial growth and meet rising energy demand.

While Nigerians await an official statement from power authorities, the recurring outages have renewed calls for structural reforms, improved grid management, and sustained investment in the power sector.

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Dangote believes Nigeria should be producing at least 50,000 to 60,000 megawatts. Right now, the country generates only about 4,500 to 5,000 megawatts. He said this level is not enough for a nation of over 200 million people.

The billionaire pointed out that his refinery project is proof that big projects can succeed in Nigeria. He believes similar success is possible in the power sector. He added that increasing electricity generation is not as hard as building the refinery.

Dangote stressed that solving the power crisis is not the government’s job alone. The power sector has already been privatised. He called on private companies and wealthy individuals to invest more in the country.

He urged Nigerian investors to stop sending money overseas. Instead, they should invest in the local economy. He said this will help build the country and boost confidence in the system.

Dangote linked capital flight to poor economic growth. He said stolen funds taken abroad do not benefit anyone. According to him, the money isn’t used by those who take it, and it doesn’t help the local economy.

Looking ahead, Dangote plans to grow his fertiliser business. He aims to become the world’s largest producer in 40 months. His goal is to reach 12 million tonnes in annual production.

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This development was revealed at the second Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Stakeholders’ Meeting of 2025, organized by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Representing the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Eriye Onagoruwa, a spokesperson confirmed that plans are in motion to resolve the debt before the end of the next quarter.

Onagoruwa acknowledged the weight of the burden GenCos have carried and noted that the Presidency is considering alternative financial mechanisms to deal with the outstanding liabilities, given the federal government’s fiscal limitations.

“We understand the pressure GenCos are under. We’re working with both the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Debt Management Office to find workable solutions,” she stated. “The internal approval process is already underway.”

Although no fixed deadline was announced, she expressed confidence that progress would be communicated by the next NESI meeting, signaling a possible update within the next three months.

The GenCos, meanwhile, have been sounding the alarm over what they describe as crippling debts, which some sources say now exceed ₦4 trillion. The Senate Committee on Power recently pointed out that tariff shortfalls have left the government owing an estimated ₦200 billion monthly to electricity producers.

The stakeholders’ meeting brought together key players from across the electricity value chain to discuss pressing issues — from the widening metering gap and the Presidential Metering Initiative, to the potential impacts of the Electricity Act 2023.

Discussions also touched on the proposed Meter Asset Fund, the transition to a multi-tier electricity market, and the newly established State Electricity Regulatory Commissions. In light of these decentralization efforts, John Akinnawo, Acting MD of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, warned against fragmentation and called for strong policy coordination led by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO).

In a presentation, Abdu Mohammed Bello, NISO’s Managing Director, laid out the agency’s roadmap for enhancing market transparency and operational efficiency.

Industry players at the meeting welcomed the Presidency’s commitment, viewing it as a potential turning point in stabilizing Nigeria’s electricity supply and ensuring long-term sustainability.

As the nation waits for action, the coming months are expected to be pivotal in addressing financial hurdles that have long held back the sector.

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to rural development through enhanced electricity access during a meeting in Abuja.

Adelabu met with the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy sector expansion.

A statement from the minister’s spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, confirmed that the meeting focused on renewable energy and rural electrification.

The minister commended Egypt’s achievements in power infrastructure, emphasizing Nigeria’s interest in adopting its energy generation and transmission model.

He highlighted Egypt’s progress in the energy sector, which influenced Nigeria’s engagement with Siemens to stabilize its power industry.

“Egypt has achieved significant milestones in energy transformation, and we want to collaborate and benefit from your expertise.”

Adelabu emphasized Nigeria’s goal to ensure stable, reliable, and affordable electricity access for all citizens across the country.

Nigeria’s Commitment to Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Expansion

Adelabu discussed Nigeria’s initiatives to connect rural communities to electricity through renewable energy due to economic grid expansion challenges.

“Many rural areas remain unconnected to the grid, but we cannot ignore them in our development plans,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria’s renewable energy programme had attracted major investments from international financial institutions for sector development.

Adelabu revealed that Nigeria secured $750 million from the World Bank’s DARES project and $190 million from Japan.

He stated that Nigeria has abundant renewable resources, including solar, wind, and hydro, crucial for sustainable national electricity generation.

The minister reiterated the government’s determination to harness these resources efficiently for nationwide electrification and economic development projects.

Egypt Expresses Readiness for Collaboration on Power Infrastructure

Ambassador Fouad expressed Egypt’s enthusiasm for strengthening energy collaboration with Nigeria and closing the country’s widening electricity metering gap.

He highlighted Egypt’s commitment to sharing expertise and best practices in power access, transmission, and energy infrastructure management.

“Nigeria and Egypt share many similarities, and cooperation in energy will bring mutual benefits for both nations’ economic growth,” Fouad stated.

He emphasized the immense potential in fostering stronger bilateral relations to achieve sustainable energy solutions for both African countries.

The meeting reaffirmed both governments’ commitment to advancing their partnership in power sector development and energy infrastructure modernization.

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