The unceasing collapse of the national grid managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has become an embarrassment and is no longer acceptable. The grid is the vast network of electrical transmission lines that link power stations to end-users nationwide. It is a complex system that requires a certain amount of stability and frequency to function optimally.

Unfortunately, Africa’s most endowed, hugely resourced and most populous country is grappling with years of electricity deficit and is unable to manage its transmission lines, leading to a severe energy crisis characterised by epileptic supply and shortages to homes and industry. This poor delivery is not acceptable and whatever it will take to fix the power challenge has to be done now. No more excuses and blame game.

In 2024 alone, the grid has collapsed 10 times and within October, it tripped off three times. In the last 10 years, the grid crumbled 105 times, according to data from sources including the regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), causing huge losses and inconvenience in homes and offices.

In the most recent collapse, the TCN reported a power outage across Northeast, Northwest and parts of North-central, after the 330-Kilovolt (kV) Ugwaji-Apir double circuit transmission lines one and two tripped, causing widespread blackouts and outages in most Northern states. Sabotage was blamed for that ugly development.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in his response, said the blackout in the North was due to “weak, obsolete, dilapidated” infrastructure of over 50 years. Yet, studies have shown that far older grids in other countries don’t suffer repeated collapse like Nigeria’s. 

In September, the minister blamed yet another collapse on a fire outbreak on the Kainji/Jebba 330KV line. Vandals and terrorists have also been responsible for the theft and destruction of transmission facilities across the country. On November 9, 2024, the TCN reported the destruction of transmission towers
T306, T307 and T308 along the Lokoja-Gwagwalada axis and the theft of two spans of the valuable aluminium conductor. Nealy all distribution and generation companies have reported severe attacks on their facilities over the years.

Recently, terrorists also destroyed electricity installations just to inflict maximum damage. The TCN reported the vandalisation of the 330kV Shiroro-Mando Line 1 and the difficulties encountered in the bid to repair the damage. Terrorists frustrate repair works and threaten TCN engineers.

Security operatives should take this threat seriously and be alive to their responsibilities. They must anticipate attacks and nip them in the bud. Let security operatives go after the vandals in their hideouts. A sovereign State of Nigeria’s stature cannot surrender to bandits and terrorists. 

Host communities, on the other hand, should be empowered to take an interest in securing transmission lines running through their territories. They need to be encouraged to take ownership and relay timely and regular intelligence to security operatives.
  
On funding, energy experts have asked the government to make investment in the grid a top priority, to regularly upgrade the system and replace obsolete facilities. That’s our position as well. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said the sector needs around $10 billion in investment to stabilise the power supply. 
  
In the last 10 years, Nigeria has secured around $4.36 billion from the World Bank to fix electricity challenges. Some of the funds have been accessed and others are still in the works. Overall, the impact of these loans is not felt yet and there is a need for a general reorientation to manage borrowed funds more transparently and efficiently. Personnel charged with oversight responsibility including legislative committees must ensure that the loans deliver what they were procured for.   

At this point, we recommend a holistic review of the power sector programme. The relationship between power generators and distributors should be robust and transparent to mitigate discrepancies. 

It is noteworthy that the Electricity Act of 2023 has sufficiently decentralised power in the country. No doubt, the sector requires a lot of investment to deliver. Government at all levels should encourage investors, through enabling environment – ease of doing business and tax breaks, to cash in on the opportunities so presented. States should also be less keen to depend on the present electricity grid for their needs; they now have the necessary legal backing to explore independent electricity supply. 

Experts have recommended deregulation of the grid into more manageable units rather than the current behemoth. They have also queried continued ownership and monopoly of the grid by the Federal Government. Let the options be judiciously explored to get the best. Let the Ministry of Power spearhead innovations in the sector.
  
Government should also explore alternative energy options including solar, wind, biomass and hydropower. Nigeria is reported to receive an average of 5.5 kWh/m2/day, one of the highest in the world, and can harvest clusters of solar mini-grids for millions of consumers. There is plenty of wind energy, especially in the North as well as myriad hydro opportunities. The government should fast-track the roadmap on renewables and support investments. 
  
Energy is the driver of industrialisation. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have lamented the impact of epileptic and low electricity supply on growth. They say it has increased the cost of doing business by about 35%, making them unable to compete favourably.  These facts are glaring and need to be urgently redressed. The time to act is now.