By Okafor Joseph Afam | December 12, 2024

Nigeria’s national grid suffered its 12th collapse of the year on Wednesday, leaving millions of citizens in major cities without power and reigniting public concerns about the country’s fragile electricity infrastructure.

In a brief statement released by the National Grid management, the collapse was confirmed, but no specific details on the cause were provided. The statement read: “Major Grid Set Back has occurred! Restoration to commence.”

The incident marks a grim milestone in 2024, a year that has seen an unprecedented number of grid failures, highlighting the systemic challenges within Nigeria’s power sector.

Promises vs. Reality

The latest collapse comes barely a month after the government under President Bola Tinubu promised a brighter future for Nigerians, vowing to deliver at least 20 hours of daily electricity by 2027.

Speaking at the Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa, Olu Verheijen, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, had emphasized the importance of increased investment in the oil and gas sector to achieve this target. Verheijen, in a statement issued by the State House Director of Information and Publicity, Abiodun Oladunjoye, said:

“By 2027, Nigeria aims to ensure 20 hours of electricity daily for consumers in urban areas and industrial hubs.”

However, with frequent grid collapses and the persistent struggles of the power sector, many Nigerians are skeptical about the feasibility of this promise.

Public Outcry

The latest blackout has drawn widespread criticism from citizens and experts alike, who argue that the country’s energy policies have failed to address the root causes of power instability. The recurring grid failures are often attributed to aging infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, and insufficient generation capacity to meet the growing demand.

Many Nigerians have resorted to alternative power sources, such as generators and solar energy, further highlighting the lack of trust in the national grid.

Hope on the Horizon?

While the government continues to assure citizens of its commitment to power sector reforms, the road to achieving stable electricity supply remains uncertain. With the year drawing to a close, the record number of grid collapses in 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for transformative action in Nigeria’s power sector.

For now, millions of Nigerians are left to endure yet another blackout, waiting for the lights to come back on—and hoping for a future where power outages are no longer a routine part of life.