Nigeria’s Power Sector Faces Reckoning as Discos May Shoulder Costs of Failing Grid Infrastructure
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced that power distribution companies (Discos) may soon bear the cost of repairs to faulty transformers and other transmission infrastructure. NERC’s plan, which could hold Discos directly accountable for the management of critical power equipment, comes as Nigeria grapples with a fragile grid that has collapsed 162 times since 2013.
The announcement was made by NERC Chairman Sanusi Garbaat a public hearing on grid reliability in Abuja. Garbahighlighted that the persistent failures of the national grid impact not only consumers but also the viability of power generation and distribution companies. He stressed that urgent action is needed to stabilise the grid, stating, “One faulty piece of equipment can plunge the entire country into darkness… We spend millions on infrastructure, only to see essential components go up in flames as if they were disposable.”
At the hearing, Joy Ogaji, CEO of the Association of Power Generation Companies, disclosed the staggering number of grid collapses, pointing to inadequate data transparency and coordination between agencies. “The grid has collapsed 162 times from 2013 to now,” Ogaji revealed, urging the commission to improve data capture and act on findings from the private sector, which she noted often differ from official reports.
The NERC Chairman acknowledged the impact of repeated equipment failures, attributing the disruptions to a lack of proactive measures. Discos, he added, have failed to identify and address the weather-vulnerable feeders under their control, despite being given deadlines. “These issues recur year after year, almost as if we’re unwilling to move forward,” he stated.
The insecurity of infrastructure also loomed over the discussion. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed that the Shiroro-Mando transmission line had been vandalised, triggering prolonged blackouts in the north. The Office of the National Security Adviser has since issued a warning, limiting TCN’s operations in affected areas due to security concerns.
The hearing underscored Nigeria’s longstanding struggle to deliver reliable electricity. Garba’s call for Discos to shoulder repair costs reflects the commission’s aim to foster accountability and, ultimately, restore stability to Nigeria’s beleaguered power sector.
