The Federal Government has acknowledged ongoing challenges in stabilizing Nigeria’s national electricity grid, citing frequent collapses caused by aging infrastructure, insecurity, and vandalism. Speaking before the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, provided insights into the sector’s struggles and outlined plans for mitigating disruptions.
Adelabu revealed that grid collapses remain a pressing concern, exacerbated by unresolved issues such as the failure to repair the Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando transmission line due to insecurity in the Northern region. He noted that while collapses will persist in the short term, the government is focused on reducing their frequency and improving response times. Collaborative efforts with security agencies aim to address the vandalism that has significantly weakened the power sector’s infrastructure.
The minister emphasized the impact of vandalism on key transmission lines, explaining that the Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando line has been out of service since October 2024, placing immense strain on the grid. “This line, one of two major transmission pathways to the North, remains inoperable due to security challenges. Although the Ugwuaji-Makurdi line has been repaired, relying on a single transmission line leaves the grid highly vulnerable,” he stated.
Despite these challenges, Adelabu announced plans for substantial investments to enhance the power sector. A budget allocation of ₦36 billion has been earmarked for the distribution of transformers across the six geopolitical zones to bolster power distribution infrastructure. Additionally, the government is set to embark on Phase 1 of a comprehensive overhaul of five key substations nationwide.
Addressing lawmakers, the minister corrected reports of 12 grid collapses in 2024, clarifying that there were eight incidents—five full collapses and three partial—attributed to issues such as generation imbalances and vandalism. He underscored those systemic weaknesses, inherited from decades of underinvestment, continue to undermine grid stability.
“Out of the five full collapses, three were due to generation problems, stemming from a mismatch between energy supply and demand. The remaining two were direct results of vandalism. We are focused on strengthening the grid, but its age and fragility present ongoing challenges,” Adelabu explained.
Efforts to modernize the grid and address these systemic issues are underway, with an emphasis on collaboration across sectors. The minister highlighted the critical role of the National Security Adviser’s office in combating vandalism and ensuring that infrastructure projects progress despite security threats.
Adelabu reiterated the government’s commitment to improving service delivery and addressing estimated billing, which affects over seven million customers. While grid collapses cannot be entirely eradicated in the immediate future, he expressed optimism that planned interventions will mitigate their impact and support Nigeria’s broader energy goals.
