NISO counters grid collapse reports, confirms full recovery following partial system disturbance

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has refuted claims of a nationwide power grid collapse, stating that a localized disruption caused a temporary power supply decrease on Monday. Around 12:40 pm on October 19, 2026, multiple trippings occurred on the 330-kilovolt (kV) transmission network, leading to an 87.6 percent drop in total power generation from around 3,840 megawatts (MW) to 476.70 MW.

Major power stations like Egbin, Jebba, Shiroro, and Kainji experienced zero output during this period. NISO's statement, issued on Monday, clarified that the incident affected only a section of the grid and that corrective measures were successfully implemented to restore normal operations. The organization emphasized that the national grid has returned to its normal state.

Although the temporary drop exposed vulnerabilities in Nigeria's high-voltage bulk electricity transmission system, the Federal Government has approved plans to build new grid networks in the eastern and western regions to mitigate single-point transmission faults. NISO remains committed to providing transparent grid updates and advised consumers to verify system status reports through their official channels.