Nigeria Plunged into Darkness: Over Two Weeks of Persistent Power Outage

By Our Reporter
A devastating power outage has gripped most parts of Nigeria, particularly 17 out of 19 states in the north and some southern states, for over two weeks. The Rescue Movement for New Nigeria, also known as Rescue the Vulnerable Initiative, has condemned this prolonged blackout, labeling it a “monumental national disaster” that’s crippling businesses nationwide.
Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, National Director of Media and Publicity for the group expressed concern that the collapse of the national grid has become a recurring issue since the APC took power. The affected states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
The power outage has dealt a severe blow to small and medium-scale businesses, already struggling with skyrocketing prices due to the removal of fuel subsidies. Those selling frozen food, like chicken and fish, are particularly affected, with many forced to discard perishable items due to the lack of power. Others relying on generators face difficulties purchasing fuel, which costs over N1,000 per liter, and often resort to buying from the black market at an exorbitant N1,500 per liter.
“This terrible situation is unprecedented in Nigeria’s history and possibly elsewhere,” Rev. Olorunmagba lamented, questioning the administration’s concern for citizens’ welfare.
The national grid collapse on April 15, 2024, resulted in a significant reduction in power generation, with only 64.70 megawatts being generated as of that date ¹. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has not confirmed when supply will be restored to the national grid.
This persistent power outage has severe implications for Nigeria’s economy, security, and citizens’ well-being. The Rescue Movement for New Nigeria urges immediate action to address this crisis and ensure a stable power supply.