Nigeria’s national power grid collapsed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, leaving millions without electricity.
The failure happened around 10:20 GMT, according to the state-backed Independent System Operator (NISO).
What Caused the Blackout?
A generator tripped, sparking a chain reaction of failures across the system. This led to a sharp drop in power supply nationwide. NISO issued a statement explaining the incident and outlined steps to fix it.
Restoration Efforts Underway
NISO started restoring power right away. They began in the capital, Abuja, using the nearby Shiroro hydropower plant. By late Wednesday, the operator reported “substantial restoration” across the country. However, full recovery may take time.
A Recurring Problem
Frequent grid collapses have troubled Nigeria for years. As Africa’s most populous nation, the country struggles with unreliable power.
Businesses and homes often rely on expensive diesel or petrol generators to stay lit. This outage highlights ongoing challenges in the energy sector, pushing calls for better infrastructure and sustainable solutions.
Why It Matters
These blackouts disrupt daily life, hurt the economy, and increase costs for everyone. Experts say investing in renewables and grid upgrades could help prevent future failures.
For now, Nigerians brace for more instability in their power supply.