System operators blame grid collapse on multiple 330kV line trips, unit disconnections as restoration ongoing

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has confirmed that the country’s electricity grid collapsed plunging Africa’s most populous nation into darkness on Friday. They blamed the collapse on simultaneous tripping of multiple 330kV transmission lines, alongside the disconnection of some grid-connected generating units.

In a statement issued to journalists, the operator said that the the national grid experienced a system-wide disturbance, which resulted in a total outage across the interconnected network.

NISO however stated that following the outage, system restoration activities commenced at about 13:15 hours, in accordance with established grid restoration and recovery procedures.

“Preliminary operational reports indicate 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.

Read also: FG seeks World Bank funding for road projects 

“Following the outage, system restoration activities commenced at about 13:15 hours, in accordance with established grid restoration and recovery procedures. As of the time of this update, electricity supply has been successfully restored to Abuja, Osogbo, Benin, Onitsha, Sakete, Jebba, Kainji, Shiroro, and parts of Lagos, while restoration efforts are continuing progressively in other parts of the country.

“A detailed investigation into the root and contributory causes of the disturbance is currently ongoing. The full restoration and stabilisation of the grid remains a top operational priority,” the statement read.

BusinessDay had earlier reported the electricity grid collapsed which which was for the first time in 2026 and reviving questions about the country’s chronically unstable power infrastructure.

The national grid failed at approximately 11:40 a.m, Nigerian time, according to data gathered by BusinessDay.

BusinessDay’s check on the national distribution load profile at 1 pm showed that all distribution companies (DisCos), including Abuja, Eko, Benin, Enugu, Ibadan, Jos, Kano, Kaduna, , Port Harcourt, and Yola, had 0 load.

The outage came shortly after operators reported robust demand across major urban centres, with Abuja Electricity Distribution Company receiving 639 megawatts and Ikeja Electric drawing 630 megawatts before the system went down.