A federal government committee investigating Nigeria’s recent power grid collapse in October has identified outdated equipment and insufficient investment in transmission stations as key causes of the blackout on October 14 and 19, 2024.
The committee, led by Engr. Nafisatu Asabe Ali, Executive Director of System Operations at the Transmission Company of Nigeria, found that high voltage levels exceeded equipment capacity, triggering the system failure.
During the report presentation yesterday, Ali highlighted recurring issues at various stations, revealing that the shattering of lightning arrestors at Jebba and Oshogbo transmission stations and the explosion of a Current Transformer (CT) at Jebba were critical factors in both incidents.
She explained that high voltage levels in Jebba, exacerbated by a failed shunt reactor, led to a dangerous voltage spike, which degraded the insulation and resilience of the aging equipment. Some equipment in the Jebba station dates back to its commissioning in 1968, underscoring long-standing infrastructure issues.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu responded to the findings, pledging to seek additional funding in the 2024 Supplementary Budget and the 2025 Appropriation Bill to address the pressing needs for equipment upgrades and structural reforms.
Adelabu acknowledged the severity of repeated grid failures and promised to submit an amended report to President Bola Tinubu that includes the financial requirements for these essential upgrades.
The minister expressed optimism that these measures would lead to a more resilient power grid, stating that addressing the root causes of grid collapses is essential to stabilizing the country’s power supply.