Barbers, tailors, millers, and small business owners lamented the massive power outage that hit major parts of northern Nigeria following a fault on the 330kV DC Transmission Line. The blackout affected the North-East, North-West, and parts of the North-Central regions, disrupting electricity supply to states served by Kaduna Electric, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, and Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KedCo),Daily Trust reports.
The outage reduced the power supply to a mere 160 megawatts across these regions. The 330kV DC Transmission Line had been put into service after the vandalization of the Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines 1 and 2. This latest incident compounded the challenges faced by residents, who had already endured multiple blackouts caused by national grid failures, leaving some areas without power for 3 to 10 days.
According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the 330kV DC Ugwuaji–Apir line double-tripped due to a fault, plunging the region into darkness. Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, explained that both lines tripped early Monday morning, causing the loss of 468 megawatts. Efforts to restore the lines were unsuccessful, as line patrol teams faced difficulties, including the sit-at-home directive in the South-East on October 21 and 22.
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Timeline of Grid Collapses in 2024
Data from the Independent System Operator (ISO) reveals that the first grid collapse of 2024 occurred on February 4, with power generation dropping to 59.90MW from 2,658.75MW. Subsequent collapses occurred on March 28, April 15, July 6, August 5, and most recently in October. Despite these occurrences, the TCN maintains that only one total grid collapse was recorded, with the rest classified as partial disturbances.
Toll on Small Businesses
Small business owners in various northern states have been severely impacted. Bashir Ismail Usman, a small-scale rice miller, said many local millers had to halt production due to the high cost of diesel, leading to disruptions in the supply of rice. Muhammad Sani, a tailor, said the rising fuel prices and unreliable electricity had drastically reduced his output.
Similarly, Jamilu Abdulwahab, who runs a business center, and Umar Faruk, a barbershop owner, expressed frustration over their dependence on costly generators. Welding factory owner Danladi Ibrahim remarked that Nigerians would continue to suffer until the government fixes the electricity sector.
Impact Across Northern States
In Jigawa, residents have been without electricity for nearly 10 days, severely affecting tailors and other small businesses. In Gombe, tailors reported minimal work due to inconsistent power supply. In Zamfara, businesses like tailoring shops and barbershops have struggled to stay open, with many owners unable to afford generators.
Kaduna business owners, such as barbers and salon operators, have resorted to using rechargeable equipment due to the prolonged outage. In Bauchi, the blackout has not only affected small businesses but also journalists, who have had to rely on government facilities to charge their equipment.
In Sokoto, residents have faced increased costs for essentials like water, with the price of a jerry can doubling due to the outage. In Nasarawa State, business owners expressed concerns over the power situation, with one rice dealer stating that he had been unable to operate for days.
Government Response
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has constituted a forensic investigative committee to probe the frequent grid collapses and recommend solutions to strengthen the national grid. Adelabu expressed concern that the outages could undermine recent improvements in power generation and distribution, which had reached 5,527 megawatts—a record for the past three years.
Call for Emergency in Power Sector
The President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Kola Olubiyo, has called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the power sector. He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the power sector privatization and issue firm directives to rescue the struggling sector.
