Grid collapse: NLC slams FG as restoration begins

The national power grid collapsed on Wednesday, with the Federal Government blaming the incident on one of the generation companies, as the Nigeria Labour Congress lambasted the government over the recurrent situation.

The NLC also rejected the government’s plan to inject N4tn ($2.7bn) into electricity companies, saying the funds would reward failure rather than solve systemic problems.

The PUNCH reports that the grid collapse led to power outages across the country. It was observed that power went off across the country at about 11.20 am on Wednesday.

Findings indicated that power generation peaked at 3,972 megawatts at 10 am. It dropped to 2,917 MW at 11 am before it later fell to 20.80 MW at 12 pm. All 21 power plants on the grid recorded zero power output to the grid at noon on Wednesday, indicating the impact of the incident.

But the Nigerian Independent System Operator said it had resumed power restoration. In a statement, NISO informed the general public that the national grid experienced a system disturbance.

The system operator disclosed that the disturbance was caused by the tripping of a GenCo, resulting in a significant load drop, which it said cascaded to other GenCos, leading to a system disturbance. NISO stated that it immediately commenced restoration of the grid at 11:45 am, beginning with supply to Abuja from the Shiroro power plant.

It added that a full investigation into the immediate and remote causes was underway, and the outcome of the investigation would determine the remedial and proactive actions to be taken to forestall future occurrences.

“The Nigerian Independent System Operator informs the general public that the national grid experienced a system disturbance at 11:20 hrs on 10/09/2025. The disturbance was caused by the tripping of a GenCo, resulting in a significant load drop, which cascaded to other GenCos, leading to a system disturbance.

“NISO immediately commenced restoration of the grid at 11:45 hrs, beginning with supply to Abuja from the Shiroro power plant, and substantial restoration has been achieved across the country. A full investigation into the immediate and remote causes is underway. The outcome(s) of the investigation report would determine the remedial and proactive actions to be taken to forestall future occurrences. We crave your indulgence to bear with us as restoration is still ongoing.”

The PUNCH reports that as of 6 pm, 1,505 MW has been restored to the grid. Confirming the incident earlier, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company said, “Dear valued customers, Please be informed that the power outage currently being experienced is due to a loss of supply from the national grid at 11:23 am today, affecting electricity supply across our franchise areas.

“Rest assured, we are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure power is restored once the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

 NLC slams govt

“The NLC has been made aware of a promised N4tn government payment for these same failed operators. We reject this outright! To sink another kobo of public money into the pockets of these private entities is an act of economic betrayal against the Nigerian people,” the labour union said in a statement.

Nigeria’s privatised power industry has long struggled with operational inefficiencies and chronic underinvestment. The latest grid collapse raises fresh concerns about the government’s approach of funneling large sums into failing operators amid mounting pressure from businesses and households affected by unreliable electricity supply.

“The NLC observes with utter disgust, yet a complete lack of surprise, the total collapse of the national electricity grid today. This recurrent catastrophe is not an accident; it is the direct and inevitable result of a capitalist ruling class that has deliberately engineered the power sector to fail, to loot, and to keep the Nigerian people in a state of perpetual underdevelopment and exploitation,” NLC President Joe Ajaero said.

Over the last decade, from 2015 to 2025, there have been approximately 105 grid collapses, spanning multiple Nigerian administrations. Under President Buhari (2015-2023), the grid collapsed about 93 times. The current administration under President Tinubu has continued to face the issue with multiple collapses since mid-2023. Also in February 2025, the national grid collapsed, throwing many Nigerians into a blackout.

The NLC said the frequent breakdowns of the grid were a direct indictment of the government and the privatisation model adopted more than a decade ago.  “This latest collapse is a stark indictment of this administration and the entire neoliberal, pro-market charade that has defined the power sector since its so-called privatisation,” the union stated.

The union accused regulators of lacking competence and independence, pointing to what it called political patronage in the appointment of key officials. “How else does one explain the scandalous appointment of a former local government chairman with no known expertise in energy economics or engineering to the pivotal position of Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission? This is not an appointment for competence; it is a political settlement, a reward for loyalty in a system that thrives on patronage at the expense of merit,” Ajaero said.

The union wants the government to redirect funds into a public-led effort to expand electricity generation and transmission. It said the recent grid collapse was not a technical failure but the result of predatory power-sector governance and an economic model that has left the industry in the hands of unqualified political cronies and opportunists who treat national infrastructure as a source of personal gain.

The union called for replacing key leaders with experienced and patriotic technocrats, arguing that better management and public investment in new capacity are essential to reviving the sector.

“Since the government has N4tn to invest in the sector, we suggest that the funds must be redirected towards a public-led initiative to build new generation capacity and revitalise the transmission infrastructure instead of handing it over to the GenCos and DisCos,” the NLC said.

The union also demanded a comprehensive public audit of the sector since privatisation and a fundamental review of the model. “The working class and the suffering masses of Nigeria will no longer tolerate this darkness. We will no longer accept explanations for a crisis that is manifestly man-made,” Ajaero said, warning that the NLC was prepared to act.

“This is not a plea; it is a declaration of intent. The light must come on, by any means necessary,” the statement concluded.