Nigeria experienced a nationwide blackout on Saturday afternoon, marking the fourth time this year that the national electricity grid has collapsed. The incident occurred at 3:10 pm, causing a drastic drop in power generation from 4,000 megawatts to a mere 57 megawatts by 6:07 pm.
The e grid failure highlighted the persistent challenges facing the power sector, despite efforts to improve its performance. The gradual shutdown of power plants began at 2 pm, leading to a sharp decline in electricity supply. Power distribution companies raced to notify their customers and work towards restoring power.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasized the critical importance of a stable power sector for Nigeria's economic growth during a visit to the Power House office. He urged the Ministry of Power to intensify efforts to prevent future grid collapses and ensure a reliable electricity supply.
By 7 pm, power restoration efforts had begun in parts of Abuja, but the incident underscored the need for a stable power sector to drive economic development. The frequent grid collapses have raised concerns about the country's ability to meet its power needs, highlighting the need for urgent action to address the issue.