The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has alerted Nigerians that the national grid may remain unstable as it undergoes significant repairs following a recent collapse, the second in just 72 hours, which plunged much of the country into darkness.
Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, reported that the grid disturbance occurred at 11:29 a.m. Thursday due to a sudden frequency surge from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz, originating from a substation. To prevent additional issues, the affected substation was temporarily shut down. “Recovery efforts began immediately, with power restored to the Abuja axis within 28 minutes,” Mbah noted, adding that full recovery efforts are still underway.
Mbah outlined TCN’s priority projects, including critical upgrades on the Shiroro-Mando 330kV line, enhancements at the Jebba substation, and the restoration of the Ugwuaji-Apir 330kV line. These initiatives are part of TCN’s ongoing response to a recent report that identified weaknesses in the transmission network.
“These projects involve both technical enhancements and strategic interventions as per the investigation’s recommendations,” she said, adding that some instability in the system is expected until all key repairs are completed.
In an appeal for public patience, Mbah acknowledged the impact of these disruptions on daily life and the economy, pledging TCN’s commitment to stabilising Nigeria’s power supply for long-term reliability.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has also recently noted that outdated infrastructure continues to pose challenges to grid stability, stressing that major investment is essential to overhaul Nigeria’s aging power grid.
