The Federal Government has highlighted a lack of maintenance, outdated equipment, and infrastructure limitations as primary reasons for the recurring collapses of Nigeria’s national power grid in recent months. The investigative committee, led by Nafisatu Asabe Ali, disclosed the findings at the Ministry of Power Headquarters in Abuja, identifying issues such as aging infrastructure, high voltage, and equipment failures as underlying causes of blackouts, including recent incidents on October 14 and 19.
Ali reported that lightning arrestors shattered at Jebba and Oshogbo transmission stations due to excessive voltage, which led to multiple 330kV line trips and grid instability. A broken current transformer (CT) in Jebba further compounded the issues, revealing that high voltage in Jebba—a node prone to voltage surges due to its network design—played a major role in these breakdowns. Much of Jebba’s equipment, installed when the station was commissioned in 1968, has not been significantly upgraded, contributing to frequent grid collapses.
Ali also noted that degraded equipment insulation, inadequate maintenance schedules, vandalism, and lack of skilled personnel exacerbate the grid’s vulnerability. The committee stressed the need for a comprehensive review of “relaying philosophy” and coordination, as outdated settings contribute to system failures.
Government’s Response: Financial and Structural Reforms
In response, Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu emphasized that his office would pursue additional funding through the 2024 Supplementary Budget and the 2025 Appropriation Bill. Adelabu voiced personal concern about the frequent grid failures, committing to advocate for the reforms and investments necessary to stabilize the system. He expressed optimism that with these financial inputs and long-term upgrades, grid reliability could improve significantly.
Adelabu also announced plans to prepare an amended report detailing the financial requirements for President Bola Tinubu, ensuring that resources for repairs and modernizations are allocated in the upcoming national budget. “This is not good for us as a country, and it’s a national issue that must be addressed,” he stated, adding that if possible, supplementary funds would be sought immediately.
Committee Recommendations for a Reliable Power Grid
The investigative committee made several recommendations to enhance grid resilience and prevent future collapses. Key proposals include:
- Audit and Testing of Equipment: Regular audits and testing of the grid’s aging infrastructure to address wear and tear.
- Improved Maintenance of Transmission Lines: Establishing stricter maintenance protocols for transmission equipment.
- Installation of Harmonic Filters: Implementation by distribution companies (DisCos) and generation companies (GenCos) to manage voltage irregularities.
- Decentralized Management of Resources: Moving TCN central stores closer to regional stations for quicker access to spare parts and repairs.
- Enforcement of Free Governor Mode of Operation: Standardizing power generation management to stabilize frequency.
- Removal of Ad-hoc Solutions: Replacing temporary optic fibers with Optical Ground Wires for secure data and communication flow.
Following these recommendations, a closed-door session was held to finalize details before presenting the report for President Tinubu’s review. The government’s prioritization of these reforms reflects its commitment to addressing Nigeria’s power challenges and ensuring more stable energy access across the country.
