The federal capital of Nigeria, Abuja, is said to be plunged into a 15-day darkness, according to a report by the Transmission Commission of Nigeria (TCN) on Friday.
TCN noted that the power outage is attributed to vandalism of power infrastructure in the state.
Abuja is the home to several key government agencies include the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Boundary Commission, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), among others.
The planned outage stems from the Federal Capital Development Authority’s (FCDA) decision to relocate critical power infrastructure, including the 132KV Kukwaba-Apo transmission line Towers and the 33KV DC Airport Feeder, along the Outer Southern Motorway.
According to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) the blackout, scheduled from January 6 to January 21, 2025, is due to the relocation of the 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers and the 33KV DC Airport Feeder along the Outer Southern Motorway.
AEDC noted that the power outage will affect critical areas, including Garki Areas 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8, parts of Durumi Area 1, Diplomatic Drive, and notable institutions like the National Hospital, Russian Embassy, Equatorial Guinea Embassy, United Nations offices, ICPC, and the World Trade Center.
A 15-day power outage in Abuja would significantly impact the city’s businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that rely heavily on electricity for daily operations.
Such disruptions can lead to reduced productivity, financial losses, and potential layoffs.
There are approximately 18,481 registered companies in Abuja which may be affected by this outage.
Power outages have previously grounded businesses in Northern Nigeria, resulting in significant losses across the region. Additionally, the high rate of blackouts in Nigeria has driven many small-scale businesses out of operation, with the few remaining companies operating at high costs due to alternative power sources.
In Abuja, key industries include agro-allied, transportation, retail, real estate, and hospitality.
A prolonged power outage would disrupt these sectors, affecting production, service delivery, and overall economic activities.
Impact on federal agencies and private sector
As the epicentre of Nigeria’s federal administration, Abuja houses key government agencies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and numerous ministries.
These organisations rely heavily on uninterrupted power supply for their daily operations, including policymaking, regulatory enforcement, and public service delivery.
From financial institutions and tech startups to hospitality businesses, the city’s role as a commercial hub alongside Lagos underscores the scale of the potential economic disruption.
Businesses will likely face increased operational costs due to reliance on alternative energy sources, such as generators, to maintain their services.
Public appeal and mitigation measures
On their part, the AEDC assured residents and businesses that their technical teams are working to expedite the relocation process.
In a public notice, the company appealed for patience and understanding while advising affected stakeholders to make necessary adjustments to mitigate the impact.
This extended blackout highlights the challenges of infrastructure upgrades in a rapidly growing city, with residents and businesses urged to brace for the economic and operational toll of the power disruption.
“These interruptions are necessary to complete critical infrastructure projects that will ultimately benefit all FCT residents,” the company noted.