On March 10, 2025, Lagos experienced significant power disruptions due to a fault in the transmission infrastructure managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
This issue led to reduced power allocation, prompting electricity distribution companies (DisCos) such as Ikeja Electric (IKEDC) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to implement load shedding across their networks.
Load shedding, a controlled and temporary interruption of electricity supply to specific areas, is employed to prevent a total blackout when electricity demand exceeds supply, thereby ensuring the stability of the power grid.
Both IKEDC and EKEDC have acknowledged the situation, attributing it to faults on the 330kV lines feeding the Lagos region.
They are collaborating closely with TCN engineers, who are working diligently to resolve the issue and restore stable power supply as swiftly as possible.
This incident underscores the challenges posed by Nigeria’s aging power infrastructure, which is prone to frequent failures and contributes to the country’s unstable power supply.
The World Bank estimates that Nigeria’s unreliable electricity supply results in economic losses of approximately $29 billion annually.
Residents and businesses in Lagos are advised to stay informed through official communications from their respective DisCos and to prepare for potential intermittent power supply until the transmission fault is fully rectified.
