Businesses and daily activities across Nigeria have come to a standstill due to prolonged power outages, leading to significant economic losses and hardships for citizens. Data from the Nigerian Electricity System Operator revealed that as of 6 AM yesterday, the nation’s electricity generation stood at a mere 3,752.37 megawatts (MW), which is grossly inadequate for the needs of households and businesses.
Many Nigerians are also struggling to afford alternative energy sources, with petrol and diesel prices exceeding N1,000 per litre. As a result, large portions of the country remain in darkness, having experienced the eighth national grid collapse this year alone.
Dr. Chinyere Almona, the Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), expressed deep concern over the frequency of grid collapses. She noted, “This year alone, we have recorded eight grid failures, with three occurring within a single week. The worsening performance of the national grid is a significant issue for the business community.”
Similarly, Dele Oye, President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), highlighted the detrimental impact of these outages on the economy. He stated, “The recent spate of national grid collapses has raised significant concerns for our economy and the operational viability of businesses across the country. With the grid failing multiple times in recent months, businesses have been grappling with erratic power supply, disrupting production lines, inflating operational costs, and ultimately affecting profitability.”
The ongoing power crisis has been exacerbated by vandalism in various regions, particularly in Northern Nigeria, which has been without power supply for over a week. The disruption was specifically attributed to the vandalism of the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, necessitating security measures for maintenance work to restore service.
As the nation grapples with this persistent power crisis, the implications for economic activity and citizen welfare continue to deepen, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions to the ongoing energy challenges.
