The disruption struck at approximately 10:48am, cutting off power allocation to electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and plunging large swaths of the nation into darkness. System data revealed that power generation, which had exceeded 4,000 megawatts (MW) the previous day, plummeted sharply, with all 12 DisCos initially showing zero allocation.
However, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) characterized the incident as a partial system disturbance rather than a complete grid collapse. According to NISO, the disturbance began at the Gombe Transmission Substation before spreading rapidly to Jebba, Kainji and Ayede transmission substations. The voltage disruption triggered the shutdown of multiple transmission lines and generation units, causing a partial system failure.
NISO reported that corrective measures were launched immediately, with restoration starting around 11:11am and subsequently completed. “The national grid has been fully restored and electricity supply across the affected areas has since returned to normal,” the operator stated.