This incident resulted in a sharp drop in power generation and a temporary loss of supply to many parts of the country. Notably, this disturbance occurred just five days after a previous system collapse on Friday, January 23.
Following established grid recovery protocols, restoration efforts commenced immediately. Engineers successfully began restoring power to various regions within hours of the disturbance.
As of the latest update, system operators are working to progressively restore power nationwide. Preliminary data indicated generation levels were severely impacted during the incident.
The grid collapse last week was attributed to the simultaneous tripping of multiple critical 330kV transmission lines and the disconnection of several generating units. Full restoration from that event saw power successfully returned to areas including Abuja, Osogbo, Benin, Onitsha, and parts of Lagos.
In a preliminary comment, Mr. Kazah Akau, Head of Communications for NISO, described today's event as a "little disturbance" and stated that a detailed official statement would follow. For the January 23rd collapse, NISO had issued a preliminary statement confirming that a "detailed investigation into the root and contributory causes of the disturbance is currently ongoing".
Today's disturbance highlights the persistent vulnerabilities within Nigeria's power infrastructure. These recurring incidents are symptomatic of deep-seated issues across the electricity value chain.
A key indicator of sector health is the Plant Availability Factor (PAF). A recent regulatory report revealed that in the third quarter of 2025, the average PAF for all grid-connected plants was 39.86%, meaning over 60% of installed generation capacity was unavailable for dispatch to the grid at any given time.
Challenges are not limited to generation. The same report noted a decline in the amount of power distribution companies (DisCos) offtake and pay for, with only two DisCos meeting regulatory performance thresholds in Q3 2025.
Frequent grid failures have drawn significant public criticism, with citizens and businesses describing the situation as an "embarrassment" that disrupts daily life and economic activity. Analysts warn that such instability undermines investor confidence and increases costs for households and businesses reliant on expensive private generation.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Nigerian Independent System Operator reaffirm that the full restoration and stabilization of the national grid remain their top operational priority. The outcome of the detailed investigation into these incidents is expected to guide further technical and policy actions to strengthen the grid's resilience.