Nigeria’s Power Grid Partially Collapses After System Disturbance — NISO

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has confirmed that the national grid experienced a partial system disturbance, not a total grid collapse as earlier reported by some local media outlets.

According to NISO, the grid experienced disturbances at approximately 10:48 a.m. on January 27, 2026, which rapidly propagated across the network, affecting the Jebba, Kainji, and Ayede Transmission Substations.

In a statement, NISO noted that the disturbance led to the tripping of some transmission lines and generating units, resulting in what it described as a partial system collapse.

“The Nigerian Independent System Operator wishes to state that at approximately 10:48 hours on January 27, 2026, the national grid experienced a voltage disturbance originating from the Gombe Transmission Substation,” the statement said.

“The voltage disturbance rapidly propagated across the network, affecting Jebba, Kainji, and subsequently Ayede Transmission Substations. The event was accompanied by the tripping of some transmission lines and generating units, resulting in a partial system collapse.”

NISO said appropriate corrective actions were immediately implemented to stabilise the system and restore normal operations. Restoration efforts commenced at about 11:11 a.m. and have since been completed.

“The incident affected only part of the grid and therefore did not amount to a total system collapse, as reported by some media organisations. The national grid has been fully restored, and electricity supply across the affected areas has returned to normal,” the statement added.

The incident comes amid ongoing discussions within Nigeria’s power sector on grid stability, investment in transmission infrastructure, and the need for rapid response mechanisms to minimise service disruptions in a country where millions of households and businesses depend on a reliable electricity supply.

This marks the second grid disturbance in January 2026 and the third in less than one month. The national grid previously collapsed on December 29, 2025, and more recently on Friday, January 23, 2026.