Nigeria has been plunged into widespread blackout following the collapse of the national electricity grid, marking the first system failure recorded in 2026.
Data obtained from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) revealed that power generation dropped completely to zero megawatts (MW), effectively shutting down electricity supply across the country.
According to the NISO figures, load allocation to all 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) fell to zero MW as of about 1:00 pm on Friday, January 26, 2026. The affected DisCos include Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja, and Yola, all of which recorded zero power allocation at the time of the collapse.
The development has once again raised concerns over the stability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure. In 2025 alone, the national grid collapsed several times, with the most recent incident recorded on December 29, throwing millions of homes and businesses into darkness.
The repeated system failures have occurred despite ongoing upgrades and interventions aimed at increasing grid capacity and improving reliability. Recently, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) announced the restoration of an additional 450 MW to the national grid following the completion of scheduled maintenance at the Geregu National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) plant.
Similarly, on November 9, 2025, NISO disclosed that it partnered with the West African Power Pool Information and Coordination Centre (WAPP-ICC) to conduct a synchronisation test between Nigeria’s power grid and the broader West African power network, a move expected to enhance regional power stability.
However, Friday’s collapse has once again sparked public debate over whether Nigeria’s persistent power crisis stems from poor management, weak infrastructure, or lack of political will.
As of the time of filing this report, electricity supply had not yet been restored, and Nigerians continue to await official updates from power sector authorities.
