NATIONAL GRID COLLAPSES AS NISO CONFIRMS SYSTEM-WIDE DISTURBANCE

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The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has confirmed a system-wide disturbance on the national electricity grid, which led to a total power outage across the country on Friday, January 23, 2026.

‎In a preliminary statement issued by its management, NISO disclosed that the disturbance occurred at about 12:40 p.m., resulting in the collapse of the interconnected national grid network.

‎According to the operator, preliminary operational findings revealed that the outage was triggered by the simultaneous tripping of multiple 330kV transmission lines, alongside the disconnection of some grid-connected power generation units. These combined incidents were said to have contributed significantly to the system collapse.

‎NISO noted that restoration efforts commenced at approximately 1:15 p.m. in line with established grid recovery and restoration procedures. As of the time of the update, electricity supply had been successfully restored to Abuja, Osogbo, Benin, Onitsha, Sakete, Jebba, Kainji, Shiroro and parts of Lagos State.

‎The operator added that power restoration was progressing steadily in other parts of the country, while efforts to fully stabilize the grid remain ongoing.

‎Meanwhile, NISO disclosed that a detailed investigation has been launched to determine both the root and contributory causes of the disturbance.

‎The agency reassured Nigerians that the full restoration and stabilization of the national grid remains a top operational priority.

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