Nigeria Suffers Another Nationwide Blackout Amid Grid Challenges

Nigeria experienced yet another widespread power outage on Friday following a partial collapse of the national electricity grid, leaving several cities in darkness. The latest blackout highlights the country’s persistent energy challenges, despite ongoing government efforts to improve power supply.

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Electricity Grid Collapse Disrupts Major Cities

According to reports, the outage was linked to a partial system failure from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which has long struggled with maintenance issues and aging infrastructure.

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) confirmed the blackout, stating that the disruption occurred around 2:00 p.m. on March 7, 2025.

“Please be informed that we experienced a system outage today at 14:00 hours, affecting supply within our network. Restoration of supply is ongoing in collaboration with our critical stakeholders,” IKEDC announced.

Similarly, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) attributed the power cut to reduced power allocation from TCN, which led to load shedding across its network.

Conflicting Reports from Transmission Company of Nigeria

Despite reports from power distribution companies (DisCos), TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah denied claims of a national grid collapse. In response to concerns, she dismissed the reports, stating:

“We have light here now. What’s wrong with these people now?”

When confronted with official notifications from affected DisCos, she responded with surprise, requesting further details on the incident.

Nigeria’s Power Struggles Persist

Nigeria’s power sector has long faced reliability issues, including frequent grid collapses, poor infrastructure, and financial constraints. Despite multiple government reforms, progress in achieving stable electricity supply has remained slow.

This latest blackout marks the third nationwide outage in 2025, following a similar grid collapse on February 12. The frequent disruptions continue to affect businesses, households, and industries, raising concerns about the sustainability of Nigeria’s power sector.

While electricity providers work to restore power, many Nigerians remain frustrated by the unreliable national grid and the impact of frequent blackouts on daily life.