By Francis Ajuonuma
Nigeria’s power output plunged sharply on Monday, falling from about 3,840 megawatts (MW) in the morning to 476.70MW by 1 pm, triggering fresh electricity outages in several parts of the country.
Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) showed that electricity generation on the national grid stood at approximately 3,840MW at 7 am before dropping dramatically later in the day.
The system maintained relatively stable output during the early hours before a steep decline began around 12:40 pm, leaving most generating stations with little or no electricity production.
Only a handful of plants, including Odukpani NIPP, Omotosho and Sapele, were contributing limited amounts of electricity to the grid as of the 1 pm reading.
Major generating stations, including Egbin, Jebba, Shiroro and Kainji, alongside several gas-fired plants, recorded zero output during the period.
The sudden decline coincided with reports of electricity outages, with consumers taking to social media to complain about interruptions between approximately 12:45 pm and 1:20 pm.
By 1:23 pm, the NISO dashboard showed real-time output at about 480MW, with only five generating companies recording electricity production.
The figures represented a decline of more than 3,300MW from the level recorded at 7 am, renewing concerns over the stability and reliability of the national power system.
Monday’s development came amid recurring disturbances and collapses on the national grid that have repeatedly disrupted electricity supply to homes and businesses this year.
The Federal Government recently approved plans to develop new eastern and western power grids as part of measures aimed at reducing recurring system failures and improving the stability of the national electricity network.
*Generation drops more than 3,300MW between 7 am and 1 pm
The sharp fall in output occurred within six hours, with the grid losing the bulk of its available generation capacity between the morning and early afternoon.
While several plants were producing electricity earlier in the day, the NISO figures showed a dramatic reduction around midday, leaving only a small number of generating companies supplying the system.
The scale of the decline raised fresh questions about the resilience of the national grid, particularly against the backdrop of repeated disruptions experienced by electricity consumers.
*Ikeja Electric blames supply cuts on national grid shortfall
Meanwhile, Ikeja Electric Plc attributed the reduction in electricity supply hours across its network to inadequate power allocated to the distribution company from the national grid.
The DisCo disclosed this in a public notice dated October 19, 2026, signed by its management and issued to customers within its franchise area.
“We wish to inform customers across the Ikeja Electric network that the reduced hours of electricity supply are due to a shortfall in the amount of power currently allocated to our network from the national grid,” the company said.
Ikeja Electric acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the reduced supply and appealed to its customers for patience and understanding.
The company said it was engaging relevant stakeholders to increase the amount of electricity available to its network.
“Please be assured that we are actively engaging the relevant stakeholders to improve the available power supply and will continue to distribute the power received from the grid as efficiently and equitably as possible,” it said.
*Four states plunged into darkness as BEDC workers shut facilities over pay
In another development, electricity supply was disrupted in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states after workers under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) shut down facilities operated by BEDC Electricity Plc.
The action, reportedly linked to disagreements over workers’ emoluments and welfare packages, resulted in a blackout across parts of the four states from the early hours of Monday.
At BEDC’s headquarters in Benin City, NUEE officials reportedly prevented workers from accessing the premises while critical operational facilities were shut down.
Several employees were said to have left their offices early as BEDC management engaged the union leadership in discussions aimed at resolving the dispute.
A senior BEDC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed surprise at the action, saying the company’s management had recently reviewed workers’ emoluments.
“We are surprised at their action. Some of them even harassed some of our staff trying to record their actions,” the official said.
The official said the workers’ action was unexpected, particularly because management had recently taken steps to review their remuneration.
Attempts to obtain the reaction of the Edo State Chairman of NUEE, Williams Uwumarogie, were unsuccessful as several calls to his telephone were not answered.
However, Acting Chairman of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bernard Egwakide, confirmed that the union had previously intervened in the dispute.
He said the NUEE leadership was meeting with BEDC management and that the outcome of the discussions would determine whether the NLC would intervene further.
“Right now, the leadership of NUEE is in a meeting with the management of the company. Let us see how far they can resolve it,” Egwakide said.
