The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has declared a force majeure on the Ikeja-West–Osogbo 330kV transmission line after a severe rainstorm caused significant structural damage on Thursday, 16 April 2026.
According to a statement issued by Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager for Public Affairs, the line tripped during the storm following a fault detected approximately 14.9km from the Ikeja West (Ayobo) end. Subsequent inspections revealed that Tower No. 515 had collapsed at its midsection, prompting immediate safety measures and operational adjustments.
TCN engineers are currently dismantling the damaged tower while mobilising materials and personnel for its re-erection. The company assured stakeholders that efforts to restore transmission capacity are underway, noting that an alternative line in the corridor remains operational, ensuring continued bulk power evacuation.
“Updates will be provided as work progresses,” the statement added, underscoring TCN’s commitment to minimising disruption and maintaining grid reliability.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure to extreme weather events, a recurring challenge in the country’s power sector. The Ikeja-West–Osogbo corridor is a critical link in the national grid, and its temporary outage could affect power supply in parts of the South-West region. TCN’s swift response and reliance on alternative routes aim to mitigate potential service interruptions while repairs are completed.
