Nigeria: Gas Supply Constraints, Lower Hydro Output Trigger Power Outages

Gas supply constraints, reduced hydroelectric output and maintenance problems have curtailed electricity generation in Nigeria, triggering outages in several areas, including Abuja, Lagos and Kwara, the power ministry and the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) said on Thursday.

The outages have angered consumers, with many taking to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to express frustration over the lack of electricity.

The Ministry of Power acknowledged the disruption to households, businesses and public institutions, particularly in areas that had recently recorded improvements in supply.

“We recognise what every hour without power means for individuals, families and businesses, and we do not take it lightly,” it said in a statement signed by Adeola Adelabu, special adviser on media and publicity to the minister.

Preliminary assessments indicated that the outages were not caused by a major or systemic failure of the national grid, the ministry said.

“They stem from maintenance and operational issues on parts of the power ecosystem, together with a decline in generation caused by constraints in gas supply to thermal power stations and reduced output from hydroelectric stations due to lower water inflows into reservoirs.”

Relevant operators were addressing the problems, it added.

Power Minister Joseph Tegbe was working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, NISO and electricity distribution companies to accelerate the restoration of supply, the ministry said.

Tegbe had urged the operators to resolve operational constraints, expedite maintenance and provide regular updates to consumers.

“Nigerians deserve better power, and this administration is working to deliver it,” the ministry said.

The minister thanked consumers for their patience and pledged further updates as restoration efforts progressed.

In a separate statement, NISO said the generation shortfall had reduced the electricity available for allocation to distribution companies, resulting in shorter supply hours and increased load shedding.

The impact varied across distribution networks, depending on available generation and allocations to individual companies, it said.

“NISO acknowledges the impact of the current generation shortfall on electricity consumers nationwide and appreciates the concerns expressed by members of the public and other stakeholders.”

The operator said it was working to diversify the national grid’s energy mix to strengthen supply security while maintaining grid stability and making the best use of available generation within existing operational constraints.