The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has refuted reports of a national grid collapse on Saturday, attributing the power disruption to the tripping of transmission lines.

In a statement by Ndidi Mbah, the general manager of public affairs, TCN clarified that the grid remained operational despite challenges that briefly affected electricity supply to Lagos and surrounding areas.

“At about 13:41 Hrs, the Osogbo-Ihovour line tripped, followed by the Benin-Omotosho line, which disrupted bulk power supply to the Lagos axis,” the statement read.

Read also: Power outage raises concerns on grid collapse

TCN noted that prior to the incident, total power generation on the grid stood at 4,335.63 MW. After the tripping, generation dropped to 2,573.23 MW but did not result in a grid collapse.

The tripping affected power plants at Egbin, Olorunsogo, Omotosho, Geregu, and Paras, leading to disruptions in 12 generating units.

However, most units have been restored, except the Benin-Omotosho 330kV line, which remains under repair.

TCN assured Nigerians of its commitment to strengthening the transmission network despite ongoing challenges, while urging media outlets to verify facts to avoid misinformation.

“Deliberate misinformation undermines public trust and highlights the need for accurate and verified reporting,” Mbah stated.

Faith Esifiho is an Energy correspondent at BusinessDay, covering Nigeria's electricity sector, oil and gas industry, and energy policy. She reports on power outages, electricity tariffs, gas sector reforms, and the broader challenges facing the country's energy transition. She specializes in data-led reporting and human-angle stories that examine how energy policies affect everyday Nigerians and also tracks trends in the power sector, analyses regulatory changes, and investigates the impact of subsidy reforms and pricing policies.

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