₦airaland Forum

Parts of Lagos and Abuja are experiencing electricity supply disruptions, with Ikeja Electric and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) attributing the outages to reduced power allocation from the national grid and technical faults, respectively.

The two electricity distribution companies (DisCos) disclosed this in separate public notices issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, through their official communication channels, informing customers of the reasons for the disruptions and efforts to restore supply.

The latest development marks the second time in two weeks that Ikeja Electric has attributed reduced electricity supply hours across its network to inadequate power allocation from the national grid, having issued a similar notice on October 5.

Ikeja Electric, AEDC explain outages
Ikeja Electric, which distributes electricity to several parts of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, including Ikeja and surrounding communities, has acknowledged that its network is experiencing supply constraints, resulting in fewer hours of electricity for customers.

The company explained that the situation was caused by insufficient electricity allocated to its network from the national grid, limiting the amount of power available for distribution.

“We wish to inform customers across Ikeja Electric network that the reduced hours of electricity supply is due to a shortfall in the amount of power currently allocated to our network from the national grid,” the DisCo said in its statement.
The company added that it was engaging relevant stakeholders to improve electricity availability and would continue distributing the power received from the grid as efficiently and equitably as possible.

On October 5, Ikeja Electric issued a similar public notice, attributing reduced electricity supply across its network to a shortfall in national grid allocation, indicating that the supply constraints have remained a concern over the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), AEDC announced that a technical fault had disrupted electricity supply to several communities, including Kado Fish Market, Life Camp Extension, Nizamiye Hospital, Diamond Court Estate, HUS Prime Estate, Decent Creation, Mab Global Estate and Idu Karmo.

“We wish to inform you that the current power outage is due to a technical fault,” AEDC stated.
The company explained that its technical team was working to rectify the fault and had targeted approximately 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 19, for the restoration of electricity supply to the affected areas.

Power disruptions spread across states
Nairametrics can confirm that some communities within Ikeja Electric’s coverage area, including Ogba and its environs, as well as FESTAC, have experienced electricity outages lasting up to two days, highlighting the impact of the ongoing supply disruptions on households and businesses.

A review of public notices from other electricity distribution companies also indicates that supply challenges are not limited to Lagos and Abuja, with communities in other parts of the country facing reduced electricity availability or disruptions linked to transmission constraints and infrastructure maintenance.

On October 17, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) announced that load restrictions on the Ota/Papalanto/Abeokuta 132kV transmission network had reduced the electricity available to its 33kV feeders serving communities across Ogun State.

According to the company, the restriction could affect customers in areas including Ota, Ifo, Ilaro, Abeokuta, Papalanto, Mowe, Ibafo, Ofada, Owode-Egba, Ayetoro, Imeko and surrounding communities.

IBEDC said it was monitoring the situation alongside its electricity supply partners and would provide further updates as developments emerged.

Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) also announced a planned power interruption for October 21 on a 33kV feeder connected to the 132kV Gombe Transmission Substation to allow maintenance work to be carried out.
The scheduled interruption is separate from the ongoing outages reported in Lagos and Abuja, but further highlights the maintenance requirements of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.
Similarly, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) reported that electricity supply had been restored following an outage affecting the Alaoji-Afam transmission line serving parts of its network.

Nigeria’s power sector faces financial pressures
Nigeria’s electricity sector continues to face persistent financial and infrastructure challenges, including inadequate investment in transmission and distribution networks, unpaid electricity bills and accumulated debts owed to power generation companies and gas suppliers.

These challenges have contributed to weaknesses across the electricity value chain, limiting the sector’s capacity to deliver reliable power despite ongoing reforms.

According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), electricity distribution companies failed to collect N45.26 billion from customers out of the N250.79 billion billed in July 2026. The companies collected N205.53 billion, representing a collection efficiency of 81.95%.
In the second quarter of 2026, the 11 DisCos recorded N201.90 billion in billing losses as their combined billing efficiency declined to 78.67%, compared with 79.24% in the preceding quarter.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), through its financing vehicle, has advanced the settlement of legacy power sector debts with a N729 billion Series 2 bond transaction under the Federal Government’s N4 trillion power sector financial reform programme. The initiative is intended to address outstanding obligations to electricity generation companies and associated gas suppliers.

rejoice4eva:
Meanwhile, South Africa just celebrated 500!days of uninterrupted power supply.
Who bewitched Nigeria?

Klington:
The entire nation has collapsed because on greedy failure thinks its his turn to destroy Nigeria.


Tinubu is a curse.
Tinubu must go..........

helinues:
At least if they are informing us ahead, that will make sense.

That's what other Africa countries electricity providers always do. Notify ahead

nairalanda1:
South Africa also has a cost reflective tarrif, and disconnects people who don't pay.

Nigeria has neither.

But anytime someone suggests Nigeria should charge cost reflective tarrifs, the 'we are poor' mantra comes out.

All African countries with decent light supply charge cost reflective tarrifs. Ghana, Ivory coast, south Africa. It costs over N250 to produce one kwh of power. Nigerians pay under N100 on average for that same kwh of power. The government does not pay enough in subsidy to cover the resulting losses (and is even denying they owe as much in debt)...and you are expecting 24 hour light?

deebrain:
Ukraine in war can boast of light.

Russia targeted their power facilities last week rendering almost 600,000 people in darkness.

I mean, even while they are under intense attack by Russia, they prioritize energy.

That in 2026, Nigeria is yet to get it right regarding energy, means we are not serious about the development of this country.

600,000 people in darkness in a war torn Ukraine, led to their president calling US president names and trust Donald Trump- he sent gbos back.

Almost all Lagos and Abuja were and are still in darkness till now. Thats how many people? That is how much business lost?

I hope the power minister is available?

rejoice4eva:
Who takes the blame sir?
Do you know the exorbitant amount we pay for less than 2 hours a day in my area?
At times no light for over 20 days in a month yet bills come in thousands because some people are benefitted from estimated bill.
Sir , mases have no way. Let the government takes responsibility, provide electricity, meter and sell it as its costs.

Reference:
If you are not subsidizing, if you are pulling out of every social responsibility, then what are you investing in, what are you using all that money for.

4 years has come and gone. Saved trillions on trillions not paying subsidy.

What are you investing on INSTEAD.

Because in economics there are only three patha money flows through. Investment, Spending and Savings. Which of these 3 is the government doing. All three are routes to lifting the economy and affecting the fortunes of the citizenry.

What is going on.

nairalanda1:
Please stop this we are poor nonsense.

Nigerians and the government are running away from reality. You, my friend, would you like it if someone underpaid you for your work? Would you be able to give full service if people underpaid you for your work with the excuse of we are poor?

You can abuse me, I don't care...until Nigerians realize that we must pay a cost reflective tarrif for light, forget about it. It does not matter who we choose as our leader, abeg. Cost reflective tarrif na the answer.

Or how do you think we are able to type all this from our house today online? Ya think government gave MTN Money to build the GSM Network...or government allowed MTN and co charge cost reflecttive tarrif, so that they could earn profits and attract investment?


Drop the maxist economics son...it has never worked.

rejoice4eva:
You don't get my point sir.
Who made the policy?
Who decentralized NEPA?
Who semi-privatised power sector?
Who privatized the power sector that is functioning efficiently to some extent, compared to the time of NITEL?
Let government do the needful and stop politicizing power sector.
What average Nigerian wants is a steady power supply.

mecuries:
No one can mention one sector the APC government has improved since taking over from PDP

mecuries:
No one can mention one sector the APC government has improved since taking over from PDP