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The national grid collapse has become a constant blight on the nation’s social and economic growth. The latest collapse of the national grid was the eighth in 10 months. In this report, some Nigeria came up with suggestions on what the federal government should do to halt the incessant collapse of the national grid.
Modernise national power grid infrastructure – George Achigbe, ICT expert, Lobi Stars, Makurdi
The Federal Government must prioritise and modernise the national power grid infrastructure. Nigeria’s power grid system is outdated and insufficiently maintained, making it vulnerable to frequent collapses that disrupt supply nationwide. Investments in upgrading transmission lines, substations, and transformer systems will ensure a more reliable and resilient network that can handle fluctuating power loads without failure.
In addition, the government should focus on diversifying the power generation mix by investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, especially in regions like the North and South-West. Integrating renewable energy with the grid will ease pressure on traditional power sources and reduce grid overload, helping to stabilise supply across states.
Expand power grid to meet growing electricity demands – Vincent Adule, businessman; Makurdi
There is also the need for the establishment of decentralised mini grid solar and renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaic and wind turbines.
Federal government must prioritise the rehabilitation and expansion of the power grid to ensure it meets up with the growing electricity demands by consumers.
FG should invest in modern, smart grid technologies -Solomon Orukpe-Idiogbe, activist; Benin
The entire value chain of the power sector needs a total overhaul. In halting the recurring national grid collapses in Nigeria, the federal government should prioritise a comprehensive upgrade and diversification of the power infrastructure.
It includes investing in modern, smart grid technologies that can automatically balance supply and demand and isolate problems before they escalate into full-scale collapses.
Private sector collaboration and partnership to fund, improve both in maintenance and training of the entire value chain. Sustainability and proper technical staffing is very vital for long-term productivity. Most importantly, government should accelerate the integration of alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power into the national grid. Diversifying the energy mix reduces the pressure on traditional power plants and provides backup during periods of peak demands. A clear regulatory framework to support investments in renewable energy and decentralised power solutions would encourage innovation and build resilience against grid disruptions.
There should be punitive measures against stealing, vandalism of power infrastructure – Shadrach Udugbai, public affairs analyst; Benin
I suggest that this epileptic national grid should be decentralised into regional grids. This unitary power system cannot work in this heavily politicised country. Not to mention the quantum level of corruption at the centre.
There is the need for us to unbundle the power industry and seek out alternative sources of power like solar. This is very imperative. Proper investment and research into solar technology would help greatly. Lastly, proper punitive measures should be implemented against stealing, vandalism and corrupt practices around the power sector.
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Serious intelligence should be focused on generator manufacturers, distributors – Jackson Ojo, security expert, Port Harcourt
National grid collapsing is becoming a regular occurrence in Nigeria. There is no political will from the government to deeply look into this very important factor of economy. A situation where the national grid is collapsing almost every month calls for serious concerns. Serious intelligence should be focused on those who have an interest in generator manufacturing companies overseas. Also, those distributors should be monitored and discreetly investigated.
Japan, Korea, Indian and China are manufacturers of generators, but they don’t have a market for it. Their generator market is Nigeria. There is every possibility that personal interest may lead some people to be sabotaging electricity in Nigeria in order to create more market opportunities for the manufacturers and distributors. Government should have the political will to focus on this area.
FG should convene meeting of all critical stakeholders in energy sector – Prince Wiro, journalist; Port Harcourt
The federal government should convene a meeting of all the critical stakeholders in energy sector, to first of all find out the remote causes of the incessant collapse of national grid.
There are indications too that most of the equipment is outdated. Federal Government should ensure outdated equipment are replaced instead of repairs
Security personnel should guard the equipment – Anthony Sani, ex Secretary General, ACF; Kaduna
Nigerians should support government to find lasting solution to the perennial collapse of the national grid. The collapse of national grid happens not only in Nigeria but also in some other countries. And the frequency of such occurrence depends on the quality of the construction work. If the construction was not done with diligence, just like in building of houses, the collapse is bound to occur. The case in Nigeria is worsened by activities of vandals who vandalise the grid. For example, the current blackout in the North is attributed to vandalism. Those who derive pleasure in punishing their fellow human beings are not from the moon but live among Nigerians. So, in order to put an end to frequent collapse of the national grid, both the authorities and the field engineers overseeing the grid must be up and doing in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. The vandals who caused the blackout in the North should stop such heinous activities. The security personnel should also step up their guard of the equipment while the public should not leave security of the grid to government alone.
FG should set up national grid security taskforce – Isaac Abrak, Chairman, Northern Christian Youth Professionals; Kaduna
This year, the national grid has collapsed approximately 10 times, with some instances occurring twice in a single day. This alarming frequency suggests potential sabotage aimed at undermining the government and eroding public confidence, reminiscent of the currency swap controversy that preceded the 2023 general elections.
To address this issue, I recommend that the president takes the following steps: Implement technical measures to upgrade and stabilise the grid infrastructure, and establish a dedicated National Grid Security Task Force to provide 24/7 surveillance and protection for critical infrastructure. The security outfit should constitute mostly of people from the host communities of the grid around the country. Investigate suspected sabotage and identify perpetrators. Prosecute offenders publicly to deter future attempts.
Govt should promote alternative energy – Rev Peter Olowolafe, ex- Ekiti Chairman, CAN; Ado-Ekiti
The government should encourage and promote alternative energy. Northern region should have electricity in solar and wind energy, and even in the south, solar energy is better now.
Decentralising electricity generation, way out – Prof. Edward Ogunleye, lecturer, EKSU; Ado-Ekiti
The decentralising electricity generation may be the way out. The issue of Independent Power Project (IPP) should be given more attention. Some organisations can afford to generate electricity by themselves.
Govt should involve competent electrical engineers -Oyesiji Arimiyau, civil servant; Ado Ekiti
The government should involve both competent electrical and civil engineers, not technicians, to find out the cause of frequent collapse of the power grid and establish a lasting solution to it. A technician applies repair solutions to problems and as they keep repairing, it keeps spoiling but an engineer approaches a problem with a view to identifying the cause and find solution to it thereby providing a permanent or lasting solution to that particular fault.
FG should unbundle GENCOs – Chima Nwoko, agriculturist; Umuahia
It is quite shameful that a country like Nigeria will be experiencing national grid collapse in this 21st Century. To make the problem more disturbing, if they do not blame it on water level and Kanji Dam or other dams, they blame a python at the power generation sites for causing national grid collapse. The best way of solving the problem is for the federal government to unbundle the GENCOs in the country and destroy the monopoly they presently enjoy. If this is not done, the country will continue to experience this shameful national grid collapse at will.
