Nigeria’s national electricity grid has collapsed for the first time in 2026, indicating the country’s first complete power shutdown of the year.
This was reported on the company’s official X (formerly Twitter) page, which provided a breakdown of electricity allocation to the country’s distribution companies (DisCos) at the time of the collapse on Friday, January 23, 2026.
The data showed that only Ibadan DisCo received power from the national grid, with an allocation of 20 megawatts (MW).
All other distribution companies recorded zero megawatts with a total nationwide allocation of 20 MW.
Four major failures in 12 months
The collapse follows a series of system disturbances in 2025. In September 2025, the grid experienced a major failure that caused widespread service disruptions. Most DisCos recorded zero allocation, while Ibadan DisCo received a small portion of power.
In February 2025, a line tripping event briefly cut off power to several regions.
Distribution companies in key commercial and administrative areas, including Abuja, Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Yola, were affected. Only Ibadan DisCo maintained a minimal supply of 20 MW.
In March 2025, another disturbance affected multiple regions. Distribution companies reported decreased allocations as grid operators worked to stabilize the system.
The grid again recorded low nationwide supply in December 2025. Updates showed total allocation at 50 MW at one point. Only a few DisCos received electricity. Restoration later increased total DisCo load to 305 MW, though several companies remained without power.
Pipeline vandalism cuts gas supply
In December 2025, reports from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) linked system collapses to reduced gas supply caused by vandalized pipelines.
Grid performance data throughout 2025 showed fluctuations in generation. In March 2025, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported peak delivery of more than 5,800 MW, marking a high point for electricity distribution that year.
Despite high generation periods, multiple collapses and reduced allocations revealed ongoing operational challenges.
Power challenges persist
The collapse of the national grid for the first time in 2026 adds to ongoing difficulties within Nigeria’s electricity sector, despite the country being rich in natural resources, including oil and gas.
The incident follows repeated system disruptions that have affected electricity supply at different points across the national transmission network.
According to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), fuel supply interruptions, transmission constraints, and system disturbances have continued to limit the volume of electricity reaching households and businesses nationwide.
