Power supply to improve in 72 hours — Minister

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has stated that Nigeria's electricity supply is expected to improve within 48 to 72 hours as the federal government tackles generation and transmission challenges causing recent blackouts. Tegbe pointed to planned maintenance at the Egbin Power Station in Lagos and gas supply constraints at certain thermal stations as the primary issues behind the power outages in four affected states, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.

He also highlighted sabotage of transmission lines as another factor limiting the use of alternative routes for electricity distribution to certain locations, particularly in Lagos. Tegbe's statement, 'Update on Power Situation', was posted on his Facebook page, where he assured that his ministry would restore affected generating units in phases and work to improve gas supply and repair damaged infrastructure.

The Minister's assurance comes as residents in Lagos and Ogun states expressed growing frustration over prolonged blackouts, which they say have exacerbated the hot weather. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Ikeja Electric, a distribution company, have been at odds over the cause of the power interruptions. While TCN blamed inadequate gas supply and reduced hydroelectric generation, Ikeja Electric attributed the outages to grid instability.

TCN disputed Ikeja Electric's claims, stating that it only transmits energy generated and that the Nigerian Independent System Operator had not identified any issues with its transmission network.