- Nigeria’s national grid collapsed at 11:34 a.m. on February 12, 2025, causing widespread power outages.
- DisCos like Ikeja Electric (IKEDC) and Abuja Electric (AEDC) reported disruptions and began efforts to restore power.
- This marks the first collapse of 2025, following at least 12 incidents in 2024, with October being the worst month.
Nigeria’s national electricity grid collapsed for the first time in 2025 on Wednesday, February 12, leaving much of the country without power. The grid failure occurred at 11:34 a.m., causing a significant power outage affecting millions across several regions. This incident continues the pattern of frequent grid collapses seen throughout 2024.
Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) quickly confirmed the collapse. Both companies reported significant disruptions to power supply within their franchise areas, cutting off homes, businesses, and institutions.
IKEDC took to X (formerly Twitter) to notify the public, stating, “We experienced a system outage today, February 12, 2025, at 11:34 a.m., affecting all our feeders. Our team is working to restore power as soon as possible.” AEDC echoed the update, informing customers that they had already started efforts to restore electricity. “Gradual restoration of power supply has begun. We are working closely with stakeholders to stabilise the grid and fully restore electricity,” the company noted.
The collapse sparked frustration among Nigerians, who have long endured inconsistent power supply and recurring blackouts. In 2024 alone, the grid collapsed at least 12 times, causing widespread outages. The most recent collapse before this one occurred on December 11, 2024, further intensifying public concern over the reliability of the national grid.
October 2024 was the most problematic month, as the grid collapsed four times in just 31 days. The frequent failures during that period exposed the deep-rooted challenges within the power sector. Energy experts and concerned citizens consistently called for immediate reforms, pointing to inadequate infrastructure, mismanagement, and limited generation capacity as the root causes.
Energy sector analysts noted that the grid collapses stem from outdated infrastructure that struggles to handle the country’s rising demand for electricity. Power stations and distribution networks have failed to keep up, leading to repeated breakdowns. Previous reports linked the collapses to operational challenges, equipment failures, and inadequate investments in modernisation.
As power distribution companies work to restore electricity, many Nigerians worry about how long the outage will last and whether the country’s energy sector will ever see lasting improvements. The ongoing issues have reignited discussions around alternative energy sources and decentralised power generation, which could help relieve pressure on the grid and ensure more consistent power in remote and underserved areas.
Without significant reforms and investments, Nigeria’s national grid will likely continue to struggle with frequent collapses, leaving millions vulnerable to further outages. The ongoing collapse highlights the urgent need for a resilient and efficient power system to meet the country’s growing energy demands and bring reliable electricity to more Nigerians.