Nigeria’s power sector faces prolonged instability as the Federal Government acknowledged yesterday that frequent national grid collapses will persist, citing ongoing security challenges and infrastructure vulnerabilities. Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu delivered this sobering assessment during his 2025 budget defense before the Senate Committee on Power in Abuja.
The minister revealed that a critical transmission line in the Northern region, the Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando line, remains inoperable since its vandalization in October 2024 due to persistent insecurity. This damage has forced the entire northern region to rely on a single transmission line, creating dangerous system vulnerabilities and increasing the likelihood of future grid failures.
Despite these challenges, the government has announced a N36 billion investment plan for transformer distribution across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, aiming to enhance power distribution infrastructure. Additionally, plans are underway to commence Phase 1 of a major renovation project targeting five substations nationwide, though over seven million customers continue to face estimated billing issues.
Addressing concerns about the frequency of grid failures, Adelabu clarified that 2024 saw eight grid collapses, not twelve as previously reported. Of these, five were complete system failures, with three attributed to generation problems, while two resulted from vandalism. The remaining three incidents were partial collapses stemming from generation issues.
The minister emphasized the government’s focus on reducing restoration times following grid collapses rather than completely preventing them. We recognize the issues with full or partial grid collapses, but our focus is on reducing the time it takes to restore power,” Adelabu stated, highlighting ongoing collaboration with security agencies to achieve this goal.
The situation is further complicated by the age and condition of inherited infrastructure. The minister described the current grid as “very old and dilapidated,” presenting significant maintenance challenges. The vulnerability of this aging system is exacerbated by vandalism, which Adelabu identified as one of the sector’s most pressing challenges.
The damaged Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando line, one of two major lines transmitting power to the north, represents a critical vulnerability. While the second major line, the Ugwuaji-Makurdi line, was successfully repaired following vandalization, ongoing security concerns have prevented repairs to the Shiroro line, leaving the northern region’s power supply precariously dependent on a single transmission route.
To address these challenges, the ministry is strengthening its collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, recognizing that infrastructure protection requires a coordinated security response. However, the minister’s frank admission that grid collapses will continue suggests that meaningful improvements in power stability may remain elusive in the near term.
The government’s strategy appears to focus on damage control rather than prevention, with emphasis placed on reducing the frequency of collapses and shortening recovery times when failures occur. This approach reflects the complex reality of managing an aging power infrastructure in a challenging security environment.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with these power sector challenges, the impact on businesses and households remains severe. The admission that grid collapses will persist suggests that alternative power solutions may become increasingly important for those seeking reliable electricity supply in the coming years.
