. CPPE warns of rising costs, shrinking margins
. NISO declares stable grid despite slump in generation to 567MW
. Ikeja Electric, AEDC cite grid shortfall for reduced hours of supply

No less than 29 power plants became idle, leaving businesses and households stranded as the nation’s electricity generation collapsed. The shutdown has affected industries, disrupted daily life, and underscored the fragility of the country’s energy infrastructure.

Specifically, the electricity crisis deepened yesterday, as power generation plunged from about 3,840 megawatts (MW) in the morning to a reported 230.30MW by 4:00 p.m., with 29 of the 33 generating stations listed on the real-time dashboard recording zero output, raising fresh concerns over the cost of doing business and electricity supply to households.

The sharp drop left only four stations with non-zero output in the plant-by-plant data from the real-time generation dashboard of the national grid operator, niggrid.org. It showed that Odukpani NIPP recorded 204MW, Omotosho gas plant generated 174.80MW, Sapele steam plant produced 24.60MW, while Trans-Amadi gas plant recorded 1.70MW.

The figures for the four plants, however, added up to 405.10MW, exceeding the dashboard’s reported total of 230.30MW. The affected stations recording zero output included major generating facilities such as Egbin, Geregu, Jebba, Kainji, Shiroro, Afam VI, Delta, Okpai, Rivers IPP, Alaoji NIPP and Trans-Afam, alongside other gas-fired and hydroelectric plants.

The development comes as electricity distribution companies report supply constraints, leaving businesses and households vulnerable to reduced public power supply and greater reliance on alternative sources of electricity.

However, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has declared the national grid stable following earlier multiple trippings on the 330-kilovolt (kV) transmission network. Checks however, showed that real-time electricity generation figure was just 567.10 megawatts (MW) as of 7:00 p.m. yesterday.

In addition, the generation figure, displayed on the NISO’s NIGGRID platform, showed that only four generation companies (Gencos) were reporting output at the time, raising questions about the state of electricity supply hours after the operator announced that restoration efforts had been completed.

NISO claimed the incident occurred at approximately 12:40 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026, adding that it worked with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to stabilise the power system and restore normal operations.

“Following the incident, NISO, working with TCN, immediately implemented appropriate corrective measures to stabilise the power system and restore normal operations. Restoration efforts have been successfully completed, and the national grid has returned to normal operation,” the operator said.

However, the NIGGRID dashboard showed total real-time generation of 567.10MW as of 7:00 p.m., with Afam VI generating 200MW and Geregu recording 98MW. Several other listed plants displayed zero output at the time of observation.

The discrepancy between NISO’s assurance of normal grid operation and the low generation figure highlights the distinction between restoring stability to the transmission network and recovering electricity generation to a level capable of supporting supply to homes and businesses.

NISO, however, clarified that the incident affected only a section of the grid, contrary to unverified reports and claims circulating in the media.

“The public is therefore advised to disregard misleading information and rely on official NISO communication channels for accurate and verified updates on the status of the national grid,” it said.

The operator added that it remained committed to maintaining grid stability, ensuring the reliable operation of the national electricity transmission system and providing timely and accurate information to the public.

Although NISO said restoration efforts had been completed, the 567.10MW generation figure on the dashboard indicated that electricity output reported at 7:00 p.m. remained low.

Speaking with The Guardian, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Muda Yusuf, warned that prolonged disruption would raise operating expenses, erode profit margins and undermine businesses’ ability to sustain jobs.

“The implication is obvious. The implication is that you will spend more energy because when you don’t have the public power supply, you have to fall back on the use of diesel, on the use of petrol or the use of gas and this is a damn very expensive business.”

He said the duration of the disruption would determine the severity of the economic consequences.

“So, when your cost of energy is very high, it affects your margin; it affects your ability to keep the business afloat. It affects profitability and ability to create jobs. But it depends on how long it takes to fix this problem. If they’re able to fix it within a day or two, the pressure on business maybe less but if it is longer, the pressure will be very, very significant. So that is what it is,” he added.

Ikeja Electric Plc, in a public notice dated October 19, attributed reduced hours of electricity supply across its network to a shortfall in power allocated to it from the national grid.

The company said it was engaging relevant stakeholders to improve supply and would continue distributing the power received from the grid as efficiently and equitably as possible.

For businesses, the consequences of prolonged electricity shortages extend beyond inconvenience. Manufacturers, cold-chain operators, retailers, hospitality businesses and small enterprises may have to spend more on fuel, generator maintenance and other backup arrangements to keep operations running.

Where businesses cannot absorb these additional costs, they may raise prices, reduce production or cut operating hours. Those unable to pass the costs to customers risk losing profitability, with possible consequences for investment and employment.

Households also face the prospect of fewer hours of electricity for lighting, refrigeration, cooling and other essential needs, alongside additional spending on petrol-powered generators or other backup options.

Also, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) attributed the interruption in electricity supply across its franchise area to a grid-related challenge, saying efforts are ongoing to restore normal supply.

In a public announcement yesterday, the electricity distribution company said power supply from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was interrupted following the challenge.

“We wish to inform you that power supply from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was interrupted due to a grid-related challenge,” the company said.

AEDC said TCN’s technical team was working to restore grid stability, adding that electricity supply was gradually returning to its feeders.

“The TCN technical team is working to restore grid stability, and power supply is gradually being restored to our feeders,” it stated.

The company assured customers that efforts were continuing to restore full electricity supply across its franchise area, subject to the prevailing situation.

The distribution company apologised to customers for the disruption and appealed for their patience and understanding as restoration efforts continued.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused by this interruption and appreciate your patience and understanding.”