Blackout Threatens Festive Season as Gas Shortfall Disrupts Power Generation Nationwide
Nigeria is facing the prospect of widespread electricity outages during the Yuletide season following a fresh disruption in gas supply to power generation companies, a development that has already begun to reduce electricity supply across several parts of the Country.
Electricity distribution companies in multiple regions confirmed on Tuesday that gas constraints affecting generation firms have forced the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to implement load shedding, resulting in reduced power supply to consumers.
In a statement issued by its Group Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) said customers across the South-East were experiencing diminished electricity supply due to low system frequency triggered by gas shortages.
“The recent drop in power supply availability is due to low system frequency occasioned by gas constraints affecting the generation companies,” EEDC said. “This development has necessitated the load shedding of available energy by the Transmission Company of Nigeria.”
The company explained that the situation had affected energy allocation to its network, leading to reduced daily service levels for customers served by its subsidiary firms—MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra and EastLand.
While apologising for the inconvenience, EEDC assured customers that stakeholders in the electricity supply industry were working to resolve the challenge and restore normal power distribution.
A similar notice was issued by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, which attributed ongoing load shedding in its franchise areas to poor power generation and reduced allocation from generation companies.
The utility appealed to customers for patience, noting that efforts were underway to improve generation levels.
Generation companies, however, pointed to unresolved financial obligations as the root cause of the crisis. The Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Joy Ogaji, confirmed that gas producers had begun cutting supplies due to mounting debts owed by the power sector.
Nigeria experienced prolonged power outages in early 2024 after gas suppliers halted deliveries to thermal power plants over unpaid bills.
Although government intervention at the time restored supply, gas producers have complained that payments have remained irregular.
On December 4, 2025, the Federal Government approved N185 billion to settle outstanding debts owed to gas suppliers in a move aimed at easing liquidity constraints and boosting electricity generation.
The approval was granted by the National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, according to a statement by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo. However, it remains unclear why gas supply cuts have persisted despite the approval.
Adding to the challenge, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) disclosed that electricity generation on the national grid dropped sharply following a reported gas pipeline vandalism incident within the upstream supply network.
NISO said the incident disrupted gas supply to several gas-fired power plants, forcing them to operate at significantly reduced capacity.
“The incident affected gas availability to several power generation facilities, resulting in reduced available generation capacity on the national grid,” NISO stated, noting that emergency measures, including increased hydroelectric dispatch and operational adjustments, had been activated to stabilise the grid.
With more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s grid-connected power plants dependent on natural gas, sector operators warn that the timing of the disruption is particularly troubling, as electricity demand typically rises during the festive season.
Unless liquidity challenges and security issues in the gas supply chain are urgently addressed, consumers may face sustained power outages in the coming weeks.
