By mercy Olayiwola
The power situation in Nigeria is expected to improve within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO). This assurance comes after a recent decline in power generation caused by a temporary shortfall in gas supply, which affected several thermal power generation stations.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, attributed the power outage to an explosion on the Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline (ELP) and acts of vandalism on critical gas infrastructure. He emphasized that the disruption is temporary and that the Federal Government is working around the clock to address the situation.
NISO has received assurances from the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC) that restoration works on the vandalized pipeline are nearing completion. Once the pipeline is fully operational, affected power plants are expected to resume operations, restoring full electricity supply across the country.
In a meeting with key power sector stakeholders, Adelabu directed all relevant agencies to intensify their efforts to ensure the timeline is strictly adhered to. He also appealed to the public for patience and understanding during the temporary disruption, urging communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around power and gas facilities to security agencies .
The Federal Government is treating the incident with utmost seriousness, noting that beyond immediate restoration efforts, long-term measures are being accelerated to diversify the nation’s energy mix, strengthen grid resilience, and deploy advanced surveillance technologies to safeguard critical infrastructure.
The power sector has been facing challenges, but NISO’s establishment aims to improve grid reliability and promote private investment in the sector.
