The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced a widespread blackout following yet another collapse of Nigeria’s national grid. The disruption, which occurred at exactly 11:23 a.m., has plunged thousands of households and businesses into darkness, reigniting public frustration over the country’s persistent electricity woes.
In a public statement, AEDC expressed regret over the inconvenience and assured customers that efforts were underway to restore supply.
“Please be informed that the power outage currently being experienced is due to a loss of supply from the national grid at 11:23 hrs today, affecting electricity supply across our franchise areas. Rest assured, we are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure power is restored once the grid is stabilised,” the notice read.
The outage has affected Abuja, Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa—the four states under AEDC’s coverage. In districts such as Wuse, Garki, and Kubwa, shop owners lamented the sudden disruption.
“This outage caught us unprepared,” said Mrs. Funke Adebayo, a cold-room operator in Kubwa. “We depend heavily on stable power supply to keep our stock fresh, and the cost of running generators is unbearable.”
Officials from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed that technical teams had been deployed to trace the cause of the collapse. Grid failures in recent years have been linked to system disturbances, frequency fluctuations, and equipment breakdowns.
The Federal Ministry of Power also issued a statement urging calm, while assuring Nigerians of ongoing efforts to stabilise supply.
“The ministry recognises the hardship power interruptions cause citizens and businesses, and we are working with the TCN and distribution companies to ensure faster response times,” it stated.
Analysts warn that the recurring grid collapses have serious economic implications. With small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) contributing nearly 48% of Nigeria’s GDP, many business owners are being forced to rely on costly alternatives to keep operations running.
For now, the cycle of collapse, blackout, and restoration remains a stark reminder of Nigeria’s long-standing power sector challenges—one that experts say will persist until long-term reforms and investments are implemented.
Report By: Ubi Komonmo | Edited By: Chris Odjomah