The national grid collapsed on Monday, plunging millions of Nigerians into darkness.

Electricity distribution companies across the country reported that the grid collapsed around 6:48 p.m., resulting in a loss of power supply across their networks.

“Dear Valued Customer,” Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) stated on its X handle. “Kindly be informed there was a system collapse at 18:48hrs which has resulted in a loss of power supply across our network. We are currently working with our partners as we hope for speedy restoration of the grid. We will keep you updated as soon as the power supply is restored. Kindly bear with us.”

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) also informed its customers about the “general system collapse that occurred at 18:48 hours today, 14th October, 2024. This has resulted in the loss of supply currently being experienced across the EEDC network. Consequently, due to this development, all our interface TCN stations are out of supply, and we are unable to provide services to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.”

The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company reported a similar situation, assuring customers that they were working to restore normalcy as soon as possible.

“Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that the power outage being experienced is due to a system failure from the national grid at 6:58 pm today, affecting the power supply to our franchise areas,” the Abuja Disco stated. “We are working with the relevant stakeholders to restore power as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding.”

This incident marks one of several grid collapses this year, which occurred on February 4, March 28, April 15, July 6, and August 5.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has yet to comment on the latest national grid collapse.

In April, Nafisat Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator (ISO) department of the TCN, provided various reasons for the frequent grid collapses in Nigeria, stating, “The causes of grid collapse in Nigeria spread across all participants, from generation companies to transmission and distribution.

From generation companies, there is the inadequacy of gas supply, improper coordination of plants and gas pipelines, poor generation availability.”