₦airaland Forum

Came4amod:
Or make one local manufacturer come setup shop here .. gbam

and him go Dey power his industry with generator bringing the cost of production up. It’s better they manufacture in china, ship down here without paying custom duty.


You no reason as why local rice expensive pass foreign rice

Debt burden, their CEOs go dey lavida with company money

kpankpangolo:
My solar inverter didn’t shut down. Life continues on my end.

Does this comment even makes sense ? Can everyone afford solar ? Nigerians with classism mentality everytime

neyop85:
The Gencos are trying to blackmail the government because their claims have been audited and found to be false. The government said their is not up to 6 trillion but around 2.5 trillion. Because of that they have decided to out the whole country in darkness.
The government shouldn't bulge, no one has the right to steal because they have power to blackmail. Government should pay the 2.5 trillion and charge those that want to steal from the nation to court of there is ample evidence. We are with the government on this, no matter how long it takes.

You and who is with the government?

The Imperialist Brits have invited Tinubu to a meat-fest banquet to press his mumu button, while he smiles sheepishly and sell the country wholesale.

He is doing this while country is thrown into darkness, criminals take over the night and Boko Haram bombs are going off every minute.

This country is ripe for a proper revolution.

Debt in what way, are we using light for free, our leaders no just dey try. In this model world, we are still suffering from power failure

Of course. If masses can't protest, then accept whatever they are offered or go to hell. Life goes on.

obonujoker:
Those that cannot afford inverter should go to hell , right?

neyop85:
Which is paining you, the light or the UK party giving your kind sleepless nights?

Mock him all you want, one day like this like this, out of the blue and in the suddenly, Nigeria will happen to you, it could be: healthcare, police wahala, someone wan oppress you.
You'll find who to mock you, you won't be able to get any, na sympathy you go receive, do you know why? Cause the rest of us are human beings, your own species abandoned empathy in ya mama's womb by the looks of it 🚶🚶

Keep lying 🤥

When there's power at egbin power station

Nigeria is preparing it's citizens for WW111

Who needs light for Bombs to drop on thrm

As someone privy to the matter since way back, I knew we were only postponing doomsday in that power sector.
We ought to be refining crude oil and producing our gas so we can deal in naira.. trading in USD is not sustainable, debt upon debt will continue piling up, corruption etc. will fester among power companies.

This Nigeria just dey one kind.. the leaders know exactly what to do but they won't do it.
Fix the refineries, revive State-owned refineries, so we can have succour and standard of living will improve, but no the corruption is just too much, paying non-functional refineries workers millions if not billions in salary per month with zero output. It's their kids and family members they are busy paying with Nigerian tax payers money for doing nothing.

Power sector has never been poorly managed like now.

Excuses of the broke. ROFLMAO.

Elzazzi:
Does this comment even makes sense ? Can everyone afford solar ? Nigerians with classism mentality everytime

If they choose to. Your words, not mine.

obonujoker:
Those that cannot afford inverter should go to hell , right?

Y'all don't know we are in a large mess when ado rock disconnected to be replaced by solar.


Tinubu is a great politician but very bad leader. As a fact everything that is wrong with leadership.

neyop85:
Which is paining you, the light or the UK party giving your kind sleepless nights?

Play politics all you want, Nigeria will happen to you somedays and soonest. And trust me, it will hit hard. We will be here to sympathise with you if it gets public though.

Yokoyama:
Keep lying 🤥

When there's power at egbin power station

Not all the GENCOS use gas.From a report l read here on Nairaland 30% of the 30 GENCOS are Hydropower so now it is only the Hydropower GENCOS that are giving us electricity (Na so them talk according to the report below)

adenigga:
The power shortage across Nigeria may worsen as suppliers have reduced the amount of gas they supply to thermal power plants.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) had stated that thermal power plants require an estimated 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity.

However, as of February 23, 2026, actual supply stood at about 692.00 mmscf per day, representing less than 43 per cent of the required volume.

The development is coming amid blackouts in many states, a situation that is crippling businesses.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Dr. Joy Ogaji, during an interview on Fresh FM in Ibadan, warned that the mounting debt across the power value chain is pushing the sector toward a major crisis.

Speaking on the situation, Ogaji alleged that the crisis stemmed from the failure of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc to fully pay for electricity generated by GenCos since the sector’s privatisation.

According to her, the government currently owes generation companies about N6.8 trillion, with roughly 70 per cent of the amount relating to thermal plants.

She said about 70 per cent of whatever the government owes gas-fired power plants belongs to gas suppliers, meaning gas companies are owed about N3.3 trillion out of the N4.76 trillion tied to thermal generation.

Ogaji disclosed that suppliers have informed generation companies that they will no longer supply gas to power plants unless payments are made.

“NBET is set up to buy power from GenCos and sell to DisCos. The aim is that, as they buy power, they will pay in full, but since 2013 till today, they’ve never paid in full, so this debt is now N6.8tn,” she said.

Providing a breakdown of the debt, Ogaji stated that the liabilities have grown significantly over time.

“From 2015 to December 2024, the debt profile grew to N4tn. In each month of 2025, there is a shortfall of N200bn. So if you calculate N200bn times 12, that is N2.4tn, making the whole debt N6.4tn after December 2025.

“We’re already in March 2026. The debt grew to N6.6tn in January and N6.8tn in February. At the end of March, you need to add N200bn again to make it N7tn,” she said.

Ogaji added that a significant portion of the outstanding debt is owed to gas suppliers because thermal plants account for the majority of electricity generation on the national grid.

She said: “The generation companies have hydros, and we have thermal power plants. The thermal power plants are the ones that use gas. The hydro plants use water, so they do not owe gas suppliers.

“On the grid, we have 30 power plants. Out of that, about 30 per cent are hydro now because Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Station has added 700 MW, and there are other smaller hydro plants. So, the remaining 70 per cent comes from gas.

“Therefore, for every N100 the thermal plants invoice NBET, N70 belongs to the gas suppliers. So, if we go by that ratio, out of the N6.8tn that I’m quoting, if we take out 70 per cent of that money that belongs to thermal plants, we need to work out another 70 per cent of that thermal 70 per cent, and that belongs to gas suppliers.”

Industry estimates, based on this calculation, show that about N3.3 trillion of the total debt is owed to gas producers, whose fuel powers most of Nigeria’s electricity generation.

The GenCo chief warned that the worsening debt crisis is directly responsible for the current electricity shortages.

“Yes, it is 120 per cent correct to say that the debt is the reason why we are in darkness,” she said.

Ogaji added that gas producers are increasingly insisting on payment before supplying fuel to power plants.

“Gas is not available because the gas suppliers have told us that if we need gas, we need to put money on the ground to get gas in the pipe. We owe them a lot of money,” she said.

According to Ogaji, the inability of generation companies to receive payments has also left them struggling to service bank loans obtained during the 2013 power sector privatisation.

“We owe gas suppliers, and we also owe lenders. You may have read in the papers that a bank has been threatening to take over Egbin Power Station because of the acquisition loan,” she said.

She also said GenCos’ financial burden had worsened significantly due to the sharp depreciation of the naira since the loans were obtained.

“In 2013, during the privatisation, the GenCos took loans from different banks so that they could make a lot of power available to Nigeria. But with this lack of payment, they are not able to pay their loans, and another problem is that they took those loans in dollars in 2013 when the dollar to the naira was N155 to one dollar,” she added.


Blackout, load shedding continue

Consumers in different parts of the country are grumbling as blackouts and load shedding on the national grid continue.

The low supply has affected all parts of the country, with electricity distribution companies announcing load shedding across their franchise areas as a way to ration electricity to communities.

For instance, data on the platform of the Nigerian Independent System Operator showed that Abuja Disco is getting 539 megawatts from the grid, while Ikeja Disco is receiving 533MW and Eko Disco is getting 455MW.

Ibadan Disco is getting 336MW, while Benin Disco is getting 227MW, with Enugu Disco receiving 218MW and Jos Disco getting 159MW.

Kaduna Disco is receiving 178MW, with Kano Disco getting 190MW and Port Harcourt Disco getting 196MW.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in a recent report, confirmed that only 32% of the 13,625 megawatts installed capacity of electricity power plants dispatched electricity in the month of February.

NERC, in the February 2026 Operational Performance Factsheet posted on its X account, said an average of 4,384MW was available for dispatch during the month.

It said the average load factor is 93%, showing that 4,102MWh/h of available capacity was utilised.

It identified Ihovbor_2, Kainji_1 and Jebba_1 as top energy producers that stood out with strong availability and high utilisation levels.

This means that hydro power plants continue to serve as major contributors to the national grid despite the dry season, which usually leads to a drop in water levels in hydro dams.



Protest in Lagos

Yesterday, many residents of Lagos continued to protest prolonged blackouts amid the scorching heat in the state.

The situation is worsened by the increase in the pump price of petrol, which has made it extremely difficult for residents of the affected communities to power their generating sets.

From Fadeyi to Mushin and from Igando, Ajegunle, Ijanikin and Badagry, the story remains the same.

Frustrated over what they described as “persistent blackouts,” residents of Fadeyi yesterday took to the streets to protest the “epileptic” electricity supply across the state.

They claimed that despite the persistent blackouts, the electricity distribution companies still slammed them with outrageous estimated bills.

Some of them queried the refusal of the DisCos to comply with the Federal Government directives ordering them to give out free meters.

Mrs. Oyinlola, a mother of three who had been struggling to keep her family comfortable without power, accused the DisCos of alleged connivance with generator sellers as well as owners of petrol stations to fleece them of their hard-earned money.

“It’s been three weeks now, and it’s like living in a different era. We can’t charge our phones, the food in the fridge is getting bad, and the children are getting restless,” she said.

John Ekanem, who owns a photo studio and business café, claimed that at night residents set up makeshift lanterns, while others had invested in generators, filling the air with roaring noise from their engines.

For residents like Mrs. Oyinlola and Mr. Adeyemi, the power outage is more than just an inconvenience; it is a disruption to their daily lives, a reminder of the fragility of the infrastructure that underpins their community.

A viral video circulating on social media on Thursday showed a group of protesters, primarily young Nigerians, marching through the Fadeyi area of Lagos.

The demonstrators, carrying placards and chanting, expressed their frustration over what they described as a collapse of the power sector that is “killing” local businesses.

Some of the placards bore inscriptions such as: “No more estimated billing,” “No more epileptic power supply,” “No light, no life, no nation,” and “You’re destroying, killing so many businesses; give us regular light.”

“We are not asking for too much,” one protester was heard shouting in the footage. “Make them give us light!”

Similarly, palpable tension is hovering over Obadore, Akesan and Igando communities in Lagos, as residents threatened to stage a protest over a prolonged power outage that has plagued the area for months.

The residents have threatened to stage a 1,000-man march to the head office of Ikeja Electric, the power distribution company responsible for the area.

The residents lamented the hardships caused by the over three-month blackout, which they claimed had disrupted their businesses, compromised their safety, and subjected them to unnecessary hardships.

“We are tired of living in darkness,” said a resident who identified himself as Shakiru Ojo. “We pay our bills regularly, but Ikeja Electric has failed to provide us with the basic service we deserve,” he added.

Speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday in Lagos, Chairman of the Electricity Committee and Vice Chairman of the Akesan/Obadore Joint Community Development Association (JCDA), Dr. Adebola Ademeso, stated that they are compelled to communicate their disaffection with IEKD, specifically as “they are being treated as an irrelevant community that must be subjected to perpetual darkness, despite efforts at maintaining a cordial and peaceful mutual relationship.”

“In the event there is supply, it would not last more than 30 minutes or, at most, two hours in a week.

“At our last engagement meeting, it was agreed that five electric poles would be erected at different locations indicated by our community. But to our dismay, five poles for the month of February have not been erected in the month of March.

“Our ten cardinal resolutions in the form of requests are as follows: we say no to continuing to pay for darkness. We demand the scrapping of the November and December 2025 bills, while that of January 2026 be negotiated,” he said.


Discos apologise, blame gas constraints

Meanwhile, in a notice to customers providing an update on power supply disruption, Ikeja Electric apologised to customers, saying:

“The current situation is due to gas supply constraints affecting the national grid. This has resulted in a significant energy shortfall, necessitating increased load shedding across all our feeders.

“Please be assured that we are in constant communication with relevant stakeholders as they work to restore normal generation levels.”

Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) also said: “We fully understand the inconvenience this situation may be causing and deeply appreciate your patience and continued understanding during this period. Please be assured that all relevant stakeholders are working diligently to resolve the gas supply challenge and restore normal power supply as quickly as possible.”

The power outage is the same in most parts of the country. Barely one week ago, artisans and residents across Kano State told Daily Trust that the persistent blackout is crippling small businesses and worsening living conditions.

Power supply in Kano and parts of the North-West is handled by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), serving Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.

Musa Abdullahi, a welder in the Hotoro area of Kano, said he now relies almost entirely on a petrol generator.

“Before this load shedding became worse, we used to have at least eight to 10 hours of electricity daily. Now, we sometimes go two days without power. I spend between N8,000 and N12,000 daily on fuel. That is eating deep into my profit,” he said.

A tailor in Sabon Gari, Aisha Sani, said her earnings had dropped by nearly half in the last two months.

She said since she uses industrial machines that require stable power, she misses deadlines when there is no electricity.

She said she lost at least five big orders recently because she could not deliver on time.

Frozen food and cold-drink sellers are also recording heavy losses. Maryam Ibrahim, who sells frozen chicken and fish at Kurna, said she lost goods worth over N300,000 after a 48-hour outage.

In Yenagoa, artisans say rising fuel costs have forced them to increase service charges, leading to poor patronage.

Stephen Eddie, who runs a barbing salon in Amarata, said he raised his price from N500 to N800 to offset generator expenses.

In Kaduna, business owners say they have adjusted to the reality of unreliable power by adopting alternative energy sources, while residents say even when electricity returns briefly, bills remain high.

Meanwhile, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), while expressing empathy with the frustrations being experienced due to the limited power allocation to its customers, said Nigeria’s power sector is currently facing significant constraints during the dry season (typically November to April).

While also blaming the gas shortage, it said hydropower generation often drops during this season due to low water levels in dams, and many thermal plants experience reduced gas supply from pipeline issues, vandalism and other supply-chain disruptions.

“These factors have led to lower overall generation and reduced allocations from the national grid to all Distribution Companies (DisCos), including AEDC.”

Source: https://dailytrust.com/power-outage-may-worsen-as-gas-supply-drops

https://www.nairaland.com/8638055/breaking-news-nigerias-power-generation/1#138818954

And here in a remote town of Benin Republic, light has been constant for the past 4 days since I have been here...Which way Nigeria!!!!

kpankpangolo:
My solar inverter didn’t shut down. Life continues on my end.

Poor outlook on pressing matters

Osiris12:
and him go Dey power his industry with generator bringing the cost of production up. It’s better they manufacture in china, ship down here without paying custom duty.


You no reason as why local rice expensive pass foreign rice

There are industrial areas where light hardly fluctuates in Nigeria

Came4amod:
There are industrial areas where light hardly fluctuates in Nigeria

no industry wey no get generator for naija

JoshTim:
It's all a strategy....it's because tinubu chose to pay them audited 2.8trillion in legacy debt over the 6.5trillion claims.

I suspect the same too, because it was initially Seplat doing maintenance in February; I can’t rationalize why the situation persists. The FG should do with China on solar panels and batteries—flood the market. In fact, constituency projects should be solar panels, mini-grids, and batteries for every home. The FG needs to take its hands off every power asset; it’s no longer a national security threat, and the forces of demand and supply should determine price and quality. As of today, MTN Nigeria is more of a national security threat than all the power assets.

Yokoyama:
Keep lying 🤥

When there's power at egbin power station

happy birthday....more life, prosperity and more money

If The seat of power can install solar seeing dat deir is no hope in d power sector

Me self make i go port to solar.

Nothing will e we work in this country, Nigeria doesn’t need any leader

BewareOf419:
Meanwhile in Aso Rock, solar has been installed while minister of work is now minister of power bank

You are quick to say nonsense, we pay nepa bill everyday, your brothers who owns EBDC, EDC, AEDC refused to remmit the money after you paid them

BewareOf419:
Meanwhile in Aso Rock, solar has been installed while minister of work is now minister of power bank

This isnt a laughing matter. This is what Nigerias love of subsidies has led.

The sooner they end all electricity subsidies, the better.

untoldtruth:
Mock him all you want, one day like this like this, out of the blue and in the suddenly, Nigeria will happen to you, it could be: healthcare, police wahala, someone wan oppress you.
You'll find who to mock you, you won't be able to get any, na sympathy you go receive, do you know why? Cause the rest of us are human beings, your own species abandoned empathy in ya mama's womb by the looks of it 🚶🚶

Keep crying! U cant force Obi on us, we ain't fools. Your kind will never be president until you humble yourselves and learn how to build bridges instead of burning them.

Dalohad:
You and who is with the government?

The Imperialist Brits have invited Tinubu to a meat-fest banquet to press his mumu button, while he smiles sheepishly and sell the country wholesale.

He is doing this while country is thrown into darkness, criminals take over the night and Boko Haram bombs are going off every minute.

This country is ripe for a proper revolution.

Which one is paining you there now, the visit or light issue.
This state visit and honour bestowed on our president is really making your kind fall sick. You have just started, u have five more years to go. Our president is respected both home and abroad except from those from the land of the rising moon. Una never see anything.

Chibuezem:
I would believe you but for the fact that our government cannot be trusted as they are chronic liars is what has made this hard to believe
The problem we have is the government is not burdened with helping or providing for the masses .
Nigerians are docile and will adapt to bad governance for example instead of demanding for constant electricity we adapted to Generators and now Solar.
Nigerians have no breaking point
Nigerians have given up on good governance
Nigerians forget easily

The same kind of claim was made by oil importers for subsidy that were deemed to be false. They had to settle for approved audit payment.
This same kind of subsidy claim is being perpetuated by the Gencos. However, the Gencos feel they can harass the government because there are limited alternatives.
If electricity would be guaranteed after payment of 6 trillion then we can support them. However, even after the 6 trillion, they will still be leaving us darkness. So whats the use?

neyop85:
Which one is paining you there now, the visit or light issue.
This state visit and honour bestowed on our president is really making your kind fall sick. You have just started, u have five more years to go. Our president is respected both home and abroad except from those from the land of the rising moon. Una never see anything.

The druggie called Tilumbu is not respected by Global leaders like President Trump.

Even when the US bombed Islamic Terrorists in the North of Nigeria Trump did not ask for Tinubu's permission. He said it and he did it.

Have you ever seen Trump inviting Tinubu for a chat like he does to Putin, Xi, or Ramaphosa?

Trump obviously thinks he is a dubious druggie down the totem pole in global affairs.

That's why he would rather send an Intern in the office of the US Assistant Secretary for African affairs to meet with Tinubu..

That's how lowly he rates you lord and master..

You never see anything..

neyop85:
The same kind of claim was made by oil importers for subsidy that were deemed to be false. They had to settle for approved audit payment.
This same kind of subsidy claim is being perpetuated by the Gencos. However, the Gencos feel they can harass the government because there are limited alternatives.
If electricity would be guaranteed after payment of 6 trillion then we can support them. However, even after the 6 trillion, they will still be leaving us darkness. So whats the use?

All industrialist are envisaging a force Majeure in the Nigerian/Global business landscape.
And many outside the banking sector are just looking for how to cash out and run before the storm hits.