Another grid collapse leave nine Northern states in darkness

Nine northern states in Nigeria were plunged into darkness following yet another collapse of the national grid, marking the fourth incident in less than two weeks.

States affected by the latest grid failure include Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Benue, Katsina, Taraba, Gombe, and parts of Borno and Nasarawa.

The blackout, though partial, has raised serious concerns about the stability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.

The President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Olubiyo, disclosed the grid failure in a statement on Monday night, describing the situation as a “global embarrassment.”

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the power sector, highlighting the detrimental impact of frequent grid collapses on the economy and citizens’ daily lives.

Olubiyo’s call for drastic action is echoed by several energy experts who argue that Nigeria’s power infrastructure is long overdue for a comprehensive overhaul.

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Energy analyst Dr. Akin Olorunfemi said, “These recurring failures underscore the need for systemic reforms. The power sector cannot sustain the economic growth the government envisions if these collapses continue. We need investment in technology upgrades and better operational management.”

Another expert, Prof. Bisi Omowole, a specialist in electrical engineering, pointed out that repeated grid failures erode investor confidence and worsen the country’s already precarious energy situation.

“The loss of power affects every sector—from industries to healthcare. Without reliable electricity, economic development remains a distant dream,” she said.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) have yet to confirm the latest incident.

However, the previous grid collapse on Saturday was attributed to an explosion of a current transformer at the Jebba transmission station. While the exact cause of Monday’s outage remains unclear, the frequency of these failures has amplified calls for urgent reforms.

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Olubiyo emphasized the need for better governance and accountability in the power sector. “This persistent power instability is not just a technical issue; it’s a governance failure. The time for band-aid solutions is over.

Nigeria must invest in modernizing the grid and ensuring that power generation and distribution systems are robust enough to meet demand,” he said.

With the national grid’s repeated collapses now making headlines globally, the urgency for President Tinubu’s administration to act has never been greater.

The power sector remains a critical determinant of Nigeria’s economic future, and without decisive action, experts warn that the country risks further economic stagnation and widespread discontent.