The Federal Government has acknowledged that frequent national grid collapses will likely continue due to unresolved challenges in the power sector, including infrastructure decay and vandalism.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this in Abuja while defending the 2025 budget before the Senate Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. Adelabu highlighted that persistent insecurity has hindered the repair of a critical transmission line in the Northern region, further exposing the national grid to vulnerability.
“The national grid remains fragile, and while collapses may continue, the government is committed to reducing their frequency and ensuring swift restoration whenever they occur,” Adelabu stated. He emphasized that vandalism remains a major obstacle, complicating efforts to stabilize the grid.
Key Investments and Plans
To address systemic challenges, the government has earmarked N36 billion for the distribution of transformers across the six geopolitical zones. Additionally, Phase 1 of a major overhaul of five sub-stations nationwide is set to commence. Adelabu also revealed that over seven million electricity consumers are still subjected to estimated billing, a situation the government aims to address.
He noted that the failure to fix the Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando line, which has been out of service since a vandalism incident in October 2024, has placed immense pressure on the grid. This line was one of two major power transmission lines serving the Northern region.
“The Ugwuaji-Makurdi line, which was also vandalized, has been repaired, but the Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando line remains non-functional due to security challenges. This reliance on a single line has strained the grid, making it more prone to collapses,” he explained.
Grid Collapse Statistics and Efforts
The minister clarified that in 2024, the grid experienced eight collapses, contrary to reports of 12. Of these, five were full collapses, while three were partial, with generation problems accounting for most incidents. He also emphasized that two of the collapses were directly linked to vandalism.
“We inherited a very old and dilapidated grid, but we are working closely with security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, to combat vandalism and ensure stability,” Adelabu said.
The government remains focused on reducing the restoration time for power outages and implementing long-term solutions to bolster the grid’s resilience.
Challenges Ahead
Despite ongoing efforts, Adelabu admitted that the grid’s fragility and reliance on aging infrastructure continue to pose significant challenges. He called for stronger collaboration to secure critical power installations and ensure sustained improvements in the nation’s electricity supply.
