By The Federal Government has attributed recent national grid collapses to poor maintenance culture, outdated equipment, and excessive voltage exceeding grid capacity, which led to blackouts on October 14 and 19, 2024.
Nafisatu Asabe Ali, chair of the committee investigating the grid failures, presented the findings at a report submission in Abuja, revealing issues like shattered lightning arrestors and a transformer explosion in Jebba and Oshogbo as causes. Structural issues, such as aged equipment dating back to 1968 and inadequate voltage control, also contributed.
The report identifies additional factors like vandalism, lack of proper equipment maintenance, and inadequate staff capacity affecting grid stability. In response, Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu announced plans to request increased funding through the 2024 Supplementary Budget and the 2025 Appropriation Bill to address these challenges. Adelabu emphasized the need for rapid reforms, stating, ‘This grid collapse issue is a national concern, and we are committed to immediate solutions.’
Key recommendations include auditing equipment, enhancing maintenance, enforcing operation standards, and improving voltage management across the grid. Further closed-door discussions followed, with an amended report slated for submission to President Tinubu to guide future funding and reforms.
