System collapse plunges Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, into darkness

All of Nigeria was plunged into darkness when the electricity went out on Sunday. File photo.
All of Nigeria was plunged into darkness when the electricity went out on Sunday. File photo.
Image: ESA ALEXANDER/SUNDAY TIMES

Nigeria's national electricity grid collapsed on Sunday, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said in a statement.

Power outages in Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, are common - but a system collapse is unusual.

“At 11.25am today, the nation's electricity grid experienced multiple trippings, which led to the collapse of the system,” the company said on Sunday.

“TCN has commenced grid restoration. Power has been restored to every part of the country except Calabar, Ugwuaji, Makurdi, Jos, Gombe, Yola and Maidugiri axes,” it added.

TCN said it would conduct investigations to establish what caused the “multiple trippings” as soon as the grid was fully restored.

The nation's sclerotic power grid, along with the resulting precarious energy supply, is a key issue hindering growth in the continent's largest economy.

Nigeria recently implemented its first power tariff increase in state-controlled prices since 2015. That doubled prices for some consumers, but the government and industry said it was needed to allow distribution companies to recoup costs and pay generating companies. 

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