Nigeria’s Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, confirmed that the country’s national grid frequently collapsed in 2024 and warned of continued instability in 2025. Insecurity, vandalism, and aging infrastructure remain key threats. Despite improvements in power generation, grid stability remains uncertain, with further funding needed for repairs and security.
In a recent address to the Senate Committee on Power, Nigeria's Power Minister, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, acknowledged the ongoing challenges facing the country's national grid. Despite efforts to stabilize the system, he stated that the government could not guarantee an end to the frequent collapses, which had plagued the grid in 2024.
Adelabu explained that insecurity, vandalism, and aging infrastructure remained significant obstacles to the grid's stability. In response to questions from lawmakers, he clarified that the national grid collapsed eight times in 2024, not the often reported 12 times. He attributed the majority of the collapses to generation issues, including sudden reductions in power generation, as well as instances of vandalism.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Adelabu revealed that insecurity had delayed the restoration of key power lines, particularly the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna 330 kV line, which remained inoperative due to the threat of banditry. To combat this, the government had to collaborate with security agencies to protect vital infrastructure.
Regarding power generation, Adelabu noted that efforts had led to an increase in capacity, rising from 4,100 megawatts in 2023 to 5,528 megawatts in 2024. However, he cautioned that more investment, particularly in securing power lines, was essential to mitigate future collapses. Despite the bleak outlook, the Minister stressed that the government would continue to work towards minimizing grid failures.
Additionally, lawmakers expressed frustration with the performance of electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), calling for a review of the privatization process and the potential for re-nationalization of the power sector.
