Abiodun JIMOH
Frequent collapses of Nigeria’s national electricity grid have left citizens in turmoil, significantly affecting business operations and revenue generation. The Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) has expressed grave concerns about the impact of these disruptions, emphasizing that the current instability is detrimental not only to their operations but also to the broader economy.
Elijah Adakole, head of corporate communications at JEDC, revealed that the majority of the company’s customers use prepaid metering systems, meaning they only pay for energy consumed. With the grid frequently collapsing—most recently for the eighth time this year on October 19—customers are left without power, resulting in zero revenue for the company and potential financial losses. “The incessant collapse of the grid has a devastating impact on the economy, as most businesses rely on electricity at both the macro and micro levels,” Adakole stated.
The situation has grown dire, with Nigerians experiencing multiple blackouts just this month alone, including outages on October 14 and 15. The recurring grid failures have drawn attention to the broader issue of energy instability, with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) holding public hearings on the matter. At a recent hearing, Joy Ogaji, CEO of the Association of Power Generating Companies (APGC), reported that the national grid has collapsed 162 times over the past 11 years. She recommended implementing a spinning reserve and utilizing free governor modes to mitigate volatility on the grid.
In addition to these ongoing challenges, the Nigerian government is working to restore electricity supply to various northern states that have faced week-long darkness due to the grid issues. A statement from the Office of National Security Adviser indicated that a joint effort is underway, involving the Nigerian Air Force and Army to monitor recently vandalized power lines. Temporary power restoration of 400 megawatts is expected through the Ugwuaji APIR Line.
As regions like Kaduna, Kano, and Benue continue to grapple with the effects of prolonged blackouts, citizens are calling for immediate and effective solutions from the federal government. The continuous power outages not only hinder daily life but also stifle economic growth, leaving many to wonder when stability will finally return to Nigeria’s electricity supply.
