A prolonged power outage has plagued Northern Nigeria for eight consecutive days, causing significant disruptions to essential services and economic activities. The outage, which began last Monday, resulted from the tripping of the 330kV circuit transmission lines between Benue and Enugu and Shiroro and Kaduna.
The power outage has severely affected hospitals, laboratories, and local businesses, particularly those reliant on refrigeration. Frozen food vendors have reported significant losses due to spoiled inventory, while water vendors have doubled their prices to cope with the added expenses of running generators for boreholes.
Patients at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) complain of mosquito infestation due to the lack of electricity. The hospital spends around N500,000 daily on diesel, relying on solar inverters to keep emergency services running. Malam Umaru Direba, a patient, stated that the absence of electricity worsens the mosquito problem, forcing him to rely on mosquito nets and repellents.
The prolonged outage has crippled economic activities, with many businesses forced to close temporarily. Petrol stations are experiencing low sales as citizens abandon vehicles, while residents struggle to access basic necessities.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) attributed delays in restoration to infrastructure challenges, vandalism, and insecurity. The company assured residents that they are taking “every possible measure” to restore power to the Northern region.
This outage comes on the heels of Nigeria’s national grid collapsing three times within a single week. The country has experienced multiple national grid disturbances in 2024, resulting in widespread power outages and reduced electricity generation.
Residents and business owners are calling for urgent action to address the power crisis, citing concerns over food security, healthcare, and economic stability.
The power outage has affected numerous Northern states, including Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Bauchi, and Gombe.
Investigations are underway to determine the root cause of the transmission line tripping and vandalism. Authorities have pledged to bring perpetrators to justice and ensure the security of power infrastructure.
TCN teams are working around the clock to repair damaged infrastructure and restore power to the affected regions. Residents are advised to remain patient and report any suspicious activities to authorities.
As the situation unfolds, stay tuned for updates on the power outage and restoration efforts.
