The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has revealed that Nigeria’s national electricity grid will remain vulnerable to frequent collapses due to unresolved infrastructure challenges and security issues.
Key Issues Highlighted
Speaking during the 2025 budget defense session with the Senate Joint Committee on Power, Adelabu pointed to the government’s inability to repair the Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando transmission line. The line has been out of service since October 2024 following a vandalism incident.
“This line is critical for transmitting power to the northern region,” Adelabu explained. “Its absence places undue strain on the grid, as we are now entirely dependent on a single transmission line, the Ugwuaji-Makurdi line, which has been repaired after facing similar vandalism.”
Impact of Insecurity on Repairs
The Minister attributed the delay in repairing the Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando line to persistent insecurity in the affected areas, which has made restoration efforts nearly impossible.
Fragility of the National Grid
Adelabu warned that the over-reliance on a single functional transmission line increases the grid’s fragility. He noted that this infrastructure strain significantly contributes to frequent power grid collapses across the country.
Efforts and Limitations
While the government is focused on quick restoration measures following grid collapses, Adelabu emphasized that lasting solutions will require enhanced security and expedited repairs of critical infrastructure like the Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando line.
Conclusion
Until these challenges are resolved, Nigeria’s power grid will continue to face vulnerabilities, affecting power supply reliability and economic activities nationwide. The government has pledged to prioritize infrastructure repairs and improve security to mitigate these risks.
