- Nigeria’s national grid remains unstable following recent collapses, leaving many areas with reduced power supply.
- The government estimates that $10 billion is needed to stabilize the power sector, but funding remains a major challenge.
Nigeria’s national grid has once again collapsed, leaving millions without power and raising questions about when the country will achieve a stable and reliable electricity supply. This most recent collapse, which occurred on November 7, 2024, impacted all 22 power generation companies in the country, highlighting the fragility of the nation’s aging power infrastructure.
For Band A customers those who pay premium tariffs for 20 hours of electricity daily the latest power failure is just one in a series of disruptions that have left them wondering when they can expect reliable service.
Band A customers, who make up about 15% of Nigeria’s 13 million electricity subscribers, pay a premium rate of N206 per kWh for uninterrupted service. However, following the grid’s collapse, many are now receiving only 12 to 16 hours of electricity per day, far less than the promised 20 hours. Despite the restoration of the grid, it has yet to reach full capacity, with officials estimating that power generation is still well below normal levels.
“I used to get 22 to 23 hours of electricity, but now it’s down to barely 16,” said Joyce Iraboh, a Band A customer in Lagos. Even customers with prepaid meters, who pay based on usage, are frustrated by the discrepancy between the cost of service and the quality they’re receiving.
The situation is compounded by the high cost of alternative power sources, such as petrol and diesel generators, which many residents are now relying on to fill the gaps left by the grid’s instability.
The national grid’s off-peak generation as of November 17, 2024, stood at just 3,563 MW, far lower than the usual 4,500 MW or more. This shortfall has meant that many areas, including Band A feeders, continue to experience power outages and irregular supply.
Complaints have flooded social media, with users pointing out the inconsistency between official reports of grid recovery and the reality on the ground. One user tweeted, “We’ve barely had 15 minutes of power today, and we’re supposed to be a Band A feeder. Power has been irregular all week.”
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has acknowledged that Nigeria needs at least $10 billion to stabilize the power sector, but attracting such investment has proven difficult given the volatile energy market. Even with these dire warnings, the path to stability remains unclear.
For now, Nigerians particularly Band A customers are left with the same uncertainty they’ve faced for years. The promise of stable, 24-hour electricity remains distant, and until the government prioritizes long-term infrastructure investments, Nigeria’s national grid may continue to falter