Nation’s Power Grid Collapses Again: Experts Blame Inadequate Management

The President of Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Olubiyo, has lamented the recurring issue of national grid collapses, which has plunged the country into darkness once more. This is the sixth grid collapse in 2024, and experts say it is a direct result of the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN) inadequate management.

According to reports, the national grid collapsed on Monday at 6:48 pm, leaving many parts of the country without electricity. Although the TCN has begun restoration efforts, power supply remains scarce in some areas. Olubiyo believes this is a pattern that has been repeating for years, with the TCN prioritizing short-term gains over long-term solutions.

"We have been saying this for years, but it seems the TCN is still providing lip service to the grid’s challenges," Olubiyo said in an interview with Media Talk Africa. "The lack of investment in network improvement strategies, dearth of system protective schemes, and near zero vegetation control are just a few of the many recurring issues that have been neglected for far too long."

This latest collapse comes amid a backdrop of increased electricity tariffs, which has worsened the hardship faced by Nigerians. The country’s power grid has collapsed more than 227 times in the last 14 years, according to TCN data. The recent 240% hike in electricity prices has only added to the nation’s woes.

Olubiyo’s concerns are echoed by many experts, who argue that the TCN’s lack of sincerity in addressing the grid’s challenges is directly contributing to the nation’s energy crisis. The grid’s instability is not only affecting households but also industries and businesses, further exacerbating the economic burden on the country.

As the nation grapples with the consequences of the grid collapse, the question remains: when will the TCN take meaningful action to address the root causes of the problem? Only time will tell.