January 04, (THEWILL) — For the fourth time on December 29 in the outgone 2025 year, the national grid collapsed again, plunging several parts of the country into a total blackout. The system failure resulted in a massive drop in power generation from a peak of approximately 4,800 megawatts (MW) to just 139.9MW by mid-afternoon on that day, a Monday.
The affected DisCos with zero allocation included Eko, Ikeja, Enugu, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Yola. During the peak of the collapse, only Ibadan DisCo and Abuja DisCo retained minimal supply, receiving 30MW and 20MW respectively, totalling a mere 50MW for the entire nation.!
According to the Nigerian Independent System Operator, NISO, which confirmed the collapse, the system disturbance showed that power allocation to nine out of the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) dropped to zero megawatts.
The collapse is particularly significant as it comes just days after the Federal Government announced that electricity generation was set to rebound following the repair of the vandalized Lagos–Escravos gas pipeline.
Even NISO had previously claimed that the restoration of this critical infrastructure would stabilize supply to thermal power plants.
These same official promises have made the rounds all through the year when the country experienced four national grid collapses in 20 on February 12, March 7, September 10, and then December 29.
As usual NISO which announced the full restoration of electricity supply nationwide by the next day, Tuesday, December 30, 2025, disclosed vandalism of the Lagos–Escravos gas pipeline on December 10, 2025 compromised the fragility of the grid and affirmed its commitment to proactive grid management and the implementation of measures to prevent a recurrence of such disruptions.
Giving these familiar explanations, it would be folly to expect any difference in 2026. After all, the grid collapse in December happened at the period of low electricity demand.
Typically, many businesses and industrial users shut down operations during the holidays, leading to lower pressure on the grid.
It is high time the government rejigs the power value chain and holds the companies liable in generation, marketing, transmission and distribution of power to Nigerians. State governments and companies that have obtained licenses to generate power must not be encouraged to do so without delay. It is amazing that in a country blessed with abundant sunlight the year round and unlimited water bodies, solar and wind power plants are still a rare sight.
It bears repetition that a country without regular power supply not to talk of a ridiculous mega wattage that hovers between 5000 to 7000, year-in-year out, is toying with its industrial and manufacturing development, ensuring operational continuity, efficiency, equipment protection and safe operations. We urge the government and the relevant agencies to make a huge difference in 2026 regarding efficient power supply and regulation.
