SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Nigeria’s electricity crisis continues to frustrate households and businesses, despite a slight increase in power generation and the Federal Government’s promise to restore normal electricity supply within 72 hours.
Electricity generation climbed to 4,020.41 megawatts (MW) on Monday, up from approximately 3,500 MW, but the improvement has yet to translate into a reliable power supply for consumers across the country.
The situation has raised fresh concerns about the country’s struggling electricity value chain, particularly as the 72-hour deadline announced last Thursday by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, expired without a complete restoration of supply.
Data obtained from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) showed that 20 power plants were connected to the national grid as of 1pm on Monday, generating a combined 4,020.41MW. Although higher than Sunday’s off-peak generation of 3,862.17MW, the figure remained below the peak output of 4,253.6MW recorded a day earlier.
The decline in generation had worsened the situation last Thursday when output fell from 3,996 MW to 3,659 MW, leaving several communities experiencing prolonged outages.
An analysis of Monday’s generation showed that Afam VI contributed the highest output at 519 MW, followed by Shiroro Hydropower Plant with 445 MW and Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant with 438 MW. Egbin Power Plant, despite having an installed capacity of 1,320 MW, generated just 108 MW.
Meanwhile, the 11 electricity distribution companies received a combined allocation of 3,195 MW as of 5:07pm. Abuja DisCo received the highest allocation of 581 MW, followed by Ikeja with 467 MW, Eko with 458 MW, and Ibadan with 359 MW.
Providing an update, Tegbe said electricity had been restored to several communities affected by the recent disruptions, particularly in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory.
He disclosed that the vandalized Benin-Egbin 330 kV transmission line had been repaired and returned to service, helping to increase electricity supply to the Lagos Complex to more than 1,000 MW. However, he acknowledged that some communities were still experiencing outages.
The minister also revealed that the Federal Government had paid N1.23tn out of the N3.3tn owed to electricity generation companies, leaving approximately N2tn outstanding, which the government hopes to settle next year.
He further disclosed that Nigeria’s installed generation capacity of 13,625MW currently translates into actual output of only about 5,000MW, highlighting the gap between available infrastructure and electricity delivered to consumers.
To address the country’s long-term transmission challenges, the government is pursuing a $2bn East-West Super Grid project designed to support the evacuation of up to 19,000 MW, with procurement underway and completion targeted within two years.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, apologized to Nigerians over the persistent outages, warning electricity sector operators against returning to the blame game that previously undermined efforts to improve supply.
He urged the government and industry stakeholders to establish whether outstanding payments were affecting gas deliveries to power plants and identify the actual causes of the disruptions.
Similarly, former Managing Director of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, Rumundaka Wonodi, argued that resolving the crisis would require consistent investment, effective coordination, and long-term planning rather than temporary interventions.
The latest developments highlight a fundamental problem in Nigeria’s electricity sector: increasing power generation alone cannot guarantee reliable electricity without adequate transmission infrastructure, sufficient gas supply, financial stability, and efficient distribution.
For millions of Nigerians, the real measure of progress will not be improved generation figures or government assurances, but consistent electricity supply to homes, businesses, and industries.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
