NIGERIA: Nationwide Blackout as National Grid Records Zero Power Supply

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

Nigeria experienced a nationwide blackout on Friday following the collapse of the national power grid, the first such incident recorded in 2026.

Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) showed that electricity generation fell to zero megawatts in the early afternoon, cutting power supply to all electricity distribution companies across the country.

Load allocation records indicated that all 11 electricity distribution companies received no power as of 1:00 pm. The affected distribution companies include Abuja, Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ibadan, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Yola DisCos, all of which recorded zero megawatts.

The development resulted in a total system load of zero megawatts nationwide, plunging homes, businesses, and public institutions into darkness.

This latest collapse comes despite ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s power infrastructure. In 2025, the national grid suffered multiple system failures, with the last recorded incident occurring on December 29.

Authorities had previously announced measures aimed at improving grid stability. The Niger Delta Power Holding Company had disclosed the restoration of additional generation capacity following maintenance works on the Geregu National Integrated Power Project, while NISO had also partnered with the West African Power Pool Information and Coordination Centre to test grid synchronisation within the sub-region.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the latest grid collapse has not yet been officia

lly disclosed.