Nigeria grapples with widespread power cuts after total system collapse

Nigeria is facing widespread power outages following a "total system collapse," as reported by electricity distribution companies. The incident led to a complete halt in power generation, with levels dropping to zero megawatts early on Thursday,BBC reports.

While some power supplies have been partially restored, they only account for a small fraction of the typical electricity consumption in Africa's most populous nation. Nigeria has a history of erratic power supply, despite its status as a significant oil and gas producer.

In 2022 alone, the country experienced at least four grid collapses, with authorities attributing these incidents to technical issues. Nigeria has the potential to generate a maximum of 12,500 megawatts (MW) of energy theoretically, but its actual production typically hovers around a quarter of that capacity, according to Reuters news agency.

The recurring power disruptions continue to pose significant challenges to businesses and households, impacting daily life and economic activities in the country.

NAY