National grid: Collapsed 10 times in 11 months… how Nigerians are enduring darkness
Nigerians have been plunged into darkness again as the national grid collapsed for the 10th time in 11 months.
The latest blackout occurred today, November 7 at 11:29 AM, just two days after a previous grid collapse.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, stated on October 17 that the frequent collapses are largely due to Nigeria’s aging power infrastructure. Adelabu further noted that grid instability is likely to persist until the system undergoes a complete overhaul.
He also emphasized the need for significant investment in power infrastructure as essential to preventing future outages and ensuring reliable electricity for Nigerians.
Here’s a timeline of national grid collapses in 2024
February 4, 2024: The national grid experienced its first collapse on Sunday, February 4, leading to extensive outages across many regions. Distribution companies struggled to restore power, with technical faults identified as the primary cause. Recovery efforts spanned several hours.
March 28, 2024: Just two months later, another collapse occurred on Thursday, March 28, with similar technical issues reported. While some areas regained power within 24 hours, others faced extended outages, prompting calls for reforms in grid management.
April 15, 2024: A third collapse took place on Monday, April 15, causing significant power cuts, which affected major cities and industrial zones. The grid provider attributed this collapse to frequent imbalances within the system.
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July 16, 2024: On Saturday, July 16, the grid collapsed again, marking the fourth major disruption of the year. This incident affected critical sectors, including healthcare and manufacturing.
August 5, 2024: Another collapse occurred on Monday, August 5, resulting in widespread blackouts. Although power restoration efforts began soon after, the repeated failures raised serious questions about infrastructure investment, maintenance, and capacity within the national energy system.
October 14, 2024: On Monday, October 14, a significant grid collapse led to extensive outages across the country. The disruption affected consumers and businesses alike, sparking an outcry and raising concerns over grid reliability.
October 15, 2024: The next day, Tuesday, October 15, a partial collapse occurred. While less extensive, it highlighted the grid’s fragility and inability to manage peak demands effectively.
October 19, 2024: Another disturbance was reported on Saturday, October 19. Though it didn’t lead to a full collapse, it caused partial outages and again pointed to ongoing vulnerabilities in the distribution network. The fault was resolved soon afterward, restoring electricity.
November 5, 2024: The national grid collapsed yet again, leading to a blackout across the country. Power was restored on the 6th; however, this was short-lived as the grid collapsed once more on November 7.
