The Nigerian Independent System Operator has attributed the national electricity grid collapse on Friday to the simultaneous tripping of multiple 330kV transmission lines and the disconnection of some power generation units.
In a preliminary statement on Saturday, NISO said the system-wide disturbance occurred at approximately 12:40 pm on January 23, 2026, leading to a total outage across the interconnected network.
“Preliminary operational reports showed that the disturbance was associated with the simultaneous tripping of multiple 330kV transmission lines, alongside the disconnection of some grid-connected generating units. These events collectively contributed to the system collapse at the time indicated,” the operator stated.
The grid collapse caused electricity generation to plunge from over 4,500 megawatts to as low as 24 MW, with all 23 power plants losing output and zero allocation to the 11 distribution companies.
NISO said restoration activities began at about 1:15 pm in line with established grid recovery procedures. Supply has been restored to Abuja, Osogbo, Benin, Onitsha, Sakete, Jebba, Kainji, Shiroro, and parts of Lagos, with efforts ongoing in other areas.
The operator confirmed that a detailed investigation into the root and contributory causes is currently underway, adding that full restoration and stabilization of the grid remain a top priority.
This is the first grid collapse recorded in 2026, following a similar incident on December 29, 2025, raising concerns about the reliability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
