The current two-week blackout in Abuja and Nasarawa has brought to light the glaring inefficiencies in Nigeria’s electricity sector. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) have faced intense backlash for their handling of the situation, which has disrupted the lives of millions and dealt a significant blow to businesses.
With the outage reportedly linked to the relocation of key power infrastructure, stakeholders are questioning the planning and execution of the process. The blackout, which began on January 6, 2025, highlights systemic issues within Nigeria’s power sector, including poor infrastructure planning, inadequate consumer communication, and a lack of robust contingency measures.
The Cause and Extent of the Blackout
AEDC and TCN announced that the outage was necessitated by the relocation of the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Motorway. The infrastructure upgrade is part of a broader urban development initiative.
The affected areas include critical commercial and residential zones such as Kapwa, NNPC, Games Village, National Stadium, EFCC Headquarters, and parts of Kubwa, Apo, Gudu, Karu, Nyanya, and Keffi. Despite assurances of power rotation or load shedding, many residents report total blackouts. Some areas not listed in the initial announcement, such as Utako and Dawaki, have also been plunged into darkness, exacerbating frustration among consumers.
Resident and Business Outrage
The blackout has sparked outrage among residents and business owners, who describe it as irresponsible and poorly managed.
“It’s unacceptable that a planned city like Abuja would face such prolonged outages without effective alternatives,” said Mabel Michael, a resident of Kubwa. “How are families and businesses supposed to cope with no power for two weeks?”
For small business owners, the financial implications have been devastating. Traders like Benjamin Eze, who depend on electricity to preserve goods, have been forced to spend exorbitantly on generator fuel. “The cost of diesel is already high, and now this outage is adding to our burden. It’s disgraceful that AEDC didn’t plan this better,” Eze lamented.
The outage has also affected major institutions, including hospitals, schools, and international offices. The disruption is not only a strain on daily life but also a threat to economic productivity in the region.
Criticism from Advocacy Groups
Consumer advocacy groups have been vocal in their criticism of AEDC and TCN. Kunle Olubiyo, President of the Nigerian Consumer Protection Network, described the situation as “shameful and disheartening.”
Olubiyo highlighted the failure to implement a proper contingency plan, such as stringing new infrastructure before decommissioning the old. “In the 21st century, this level of negligence is unacceptable. Abuja is a planned city, and infrastructure upgrades should not result in such disruptions,” he said.
He pointed out that the lack of foresight in developmental planning has placed an undue burden on residents and businesses. “People with perishables and small-scale enterprises reliant on power are facing severe losses. This could have been avoided with better planning and execution,” Olubiyo added.
AEDC’s Response and Mitigation Efforts
In response to the criticism, AEDC’s Acting Managing Director, Chijioke Okwuokenye, stated that the company is taking steps to mitigate the impact of the blackout. According to him, distribution feeders are being used to back-feed some areas, and load-shedding arrangements have been implemented.
“There is no intention to leave customers in total darkness for 14 days,” Okwuokenye said. “We are working to ensure that even areas difficult to back-feed receive some hours of power supply.”
However, checks reveal that many areas remain without power, casting doubt on the effectiveness of AEDC’s mitigation measures. Residents argue that the remedial efforts are insufficient and fail to address the magnitude of the disruption.
Impact on AEDC’s Revenue
The blackout has also had financial repercussions for AEDC. Okwuokenye admitted that the company is facing substantial revenue losses due to reduced energy consumption and the inability of customers to purchase electricity during the outage.
“We are anticipating a significant loss of revenue, but our focus remains on resolving the issue and restoring normalcy for our customers,” he said.
While AEDC grapples with its own losses, the economic impact on residents and businesses is even more pronounced. For many small business owners, the cost of operating generators and maintaining perishable goods during the blackout far outweighs the potential compensation promised by AEDC.
Compensation Plans and Regulatory Oversight
AEDC has indicated plans to compensate affected customers in collaboration with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Customers on Band A feeders, who are entitled to higher service reliability, may receive adjustments to their billing to account for the prolonged outage.
“We have made presentations to the regulators regarding compensation,” Okwuokenye said. “The modalities are being worked out, and we are committed to ensuring that customers receive proper service delivery in line with regulatory guidelines.”
However, residents remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures. Many argue that the compensation process should be transparent and prompt to alleviate the financial strain caused by the blackout.
Government Intervention
The Federal Government has pledged to intervene in the crisis. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, stated that the government is engaging AEDC and TCN to find lasting solutions.
“Even for AEDC, the revenue losses from this outage are significant. We are in talks with the operators to ensure that this situation is resolved quickly,” said Bolaji Tunji, spokesperson for the Minister.
While the government’s involvement is a positive step, it also raises questions about the broader systemic issues in Nigeria’s power sector. Critics argue that the sector requires a more proactive approach to infrastructure planning and regulatory enforcement to prevent similar crises in the future.
Systemic Issues in Nigeria’s Power Sector
The blackout in Abuja and Nasarawa is symptomatic of deeper problems within Nigeria’s electricity supply industry. Despite ongoing reforms, the sector continues to grapple with challenges such as aging infrastructure, inefficient management, and insufficient investment in network expansion.
Olubiyo highlighted the need for a more coordinated approach to infrastructure planning. “Urban growth in Abuja has outpaced the capacity of the existing power network. Without significant investment in expansion and modernization, these kinds of disruptions will become more frequent,” he warned.
The privatization of Nigeria’s power sector was intended to improve efficiency and service delivery. However, critics argue that the process has not yielded the desired results. Many distribution companies, including AEDC, struggle with financial and operational challenges, leaving consumers to bear the brunt of poor service.
The Way Forward
Addressing the issues highlighted by the Abuja and Nasarawa blackout requires a multifaceted approach. Key recommendations include:
- Improved Infrastructure Planning: Power operators must adopt best practices in infrastructure development, including proper stringing and phased upgrades to minimize service disruptions.
- Enhanced Regulatory Oversight: NERC should enforce stricter guidelines on service delivery and hold operators accountable for failures in planning and execution.
- Increased Investment: Both public and private stakeholders must prioritize investment in network expansion and modernization to keep pace with urban growth.
- Transparent Communication: Power companies should improve their communication with consumers, providing timely and accurate information about outages and remediation efforts.
- Consumer-Centric Policies: Compensation mechanisms should be streamlined to ensure that affected customers receive adequate redress for service disruptions.
Conclusion
The ongoing blackout in Abuja and Nasarawa underscores the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s power sector. While AEDC and TCN bear responsibility for the current crisis, the issues extend beyond any single entity, reflecting systemic inefficiencies that must be addressed.
For residents and businesses, the blackout is more than just an inconvenience—it is a reminder of the fragility of Nigeria’s electricity supply system. Moving forward, stakeholders must prioritize robust infrastructure planning, regulatory enforcement, and consumer-focused policies to ensure a more reliable and sustainable power supply for all.
