The incessant collapse of the national grid

In just 24 hours, Nigeria’s national grid collapsed twice, marking the seventh collapse over the past year. These disruptions are not new; they reflect longstanding issues within Nigeria’s power sector, driven by inadequate infrastructure, maintenance challenges, vandalism and systemic corruption. The persistence of national grid crashes across almost all administrations that came before President Bola […]

In just 24 hours, Nigeria’s national grid collapsed twice, marking the seventh collapse over the past year. These disruptions are not new; they reflect longstanding issues within Nigeria’s power sector, driven by inadequate infrastructure, maintenance challenges, vandalism and systemic corruption. The persistence of national grid crashes across almost all administrations that came before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu highlighted how deeply rooted the problem is.

Many ordinary Nigerians are in fact unfamiliar with the concept of the national grid. National grid is an interconnected network designed to deliver electricity from producers to consumers. The grid comprises generation stations that produce electricity, high-voltage transmission lines that carry this electricity over long distances, and distribution systems that reduce the voltage for delivery to homes and businesses.

Why does Nigeria’s national grid often experience collapses? Many Nigerians have come to accept that these ‘collapses’ are part of the country’s electricity sector.

Can Nigeria stop the frequent collapse of its national electricity grid? Certainly. Many countries have achieved reliable and efficient electricity generation, transmission and distribution systems, providing their citizens with consistent access to power. These nations have demonstrated that it is possible to overcome infrastructure challenges and create a resilient energy sector.

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To achieve similar results, Nigeria should benchmark against the successes of other countries, learning from their strategies and best practices. However, it must also consider its local needs and unique challenges, such as geographical diversity, population distribution, people’s pockets, the need to support businesses and varying energy demands.

An effective strategy would involve engaging local stakeholders and addressing issues like outdated infrastructure and insufficient maintenance.

With this approach, stability and reliability in the national grid can be realised. Furthermore, substantial investments in infrastructure, technology, and human resources are essential. This includes not only upgrading existing facilities but also investing in renewable energy sources to diversify the energy mix.

Building a skilled workforce to manage and maintain the grid will also be crucial. Ultimately, with the right focus and investment, Nigeria can transform its electricity sector and ensure reliable power for all its citizens.

 

Zayyad I. Muhammad wrote from Abuja, [email protected]