Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah
Nigeria’s electricity supply took a major hit on Sunday as gas shortages triggered by industrial action within the petroleum sector forced power generation to drop from over 4,300 megawatts to as low as 3,200MW.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) said the disruption stemmed from the strike by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which affected gas delivery to power plants across the country.
To avert a total system collapse, NISO said it rolled out emergency measures, including ramping up hydropower generation, real-time load balancing, and selective load shedding.
According to the agency, hydro stations contributed over 400MW to cushion the shortfall, while critical services and essential facilities were prioritized.
“These timely actions helped us sustain operational security and maintain supply to critical loads, thereby averting a nationwide blackout,” the System Operator said in a statement obtained by Persecondnews.
The incident once again highlights the fragility of Nigeria’s power sector, where gas supply bottlenecks and labour disputes often threaten grid stability.
NISO assured the public of its commitment to proactive grid management to keep the lights on despite challenges.
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