Power Minister Admits Supply Disruptions in Five States as FG Clears 44 Containers of Equipment

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has acknowledged worsening electricity supply disruptions in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Kwara and Oyo states, as the Federal Government moves to recover abandoned power equipment to support ongoing infrastructure projects.

The minister said the affected areas had recorded improvements in electricity supply before the latest disruptions, which he attributed to maintenance and operational challenges, gas shortages at thermal power stations and reduced output from hydropower plants.

The development comes amid complaints from electricity consumers over reduced supply hours. The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has also identified inadequate gas supply and lower water inflows into hydroelectric reservoirs as major constraints on electricity generation.

Electricity distribution data showed that the 11 distribution companies received a combined allocation of 2,926 megawatts as of 4:41pm on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company received the highest allocation of 633MW, representing about 21.6 per cent of the total. Ibadan Disco followed with 391MW, while Port Harcourt Disco received 320MW.

Benin Disco was allocated 264MW, Eko Disco received 256MW, and Enugu Disco got 253MW. Ikeja Disco received 249MW, while Kano, Kaduna and Jos distribution companies received 173MW, 167MW and 146MW respectively. Yola Disco received the lowest allocation at 74MW.

The figures represent electricity allocated to the distribution companies at the stated time and do not necessarily reflect the amount ultimately delivered to consumers.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Adeola Adelabu, Tegbe said preliminary assessments indicated that the disruptions were not caused by a major or systemic failure of the national grid.

He said the ministry was working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, NISO and electricity distribution companies to address the constraints, accelerate maintenance work and restore normal supply.

“The Ministry acknowledges the inconvenience this has caused households, businesses and public institutions, and understands the frustration of Nigerians who had begun to see the benefits of steadier supply,” the minister said.

Tegbe added that he had engaged relevant agencies and distribution companies to resolve the operational challenges and keep consumers informed about restoration efforts.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has facilitated the release of 44 containers of electricity equipment from Apapa ports in Lagos, where more than 300 containers had reportedly remained stranded, some since 2014.

According to the minister, the clearance followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive after the last Federal Executive Council meeting. The President had asked the Ministry of Power to work with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority to resolve outstanding issues and facilitate the release of the equipment.

Tegbe said the first 44 containers had been released following the intervention, adding that technical experts would inspect their contents before deployment.

He explained that serviceable equipment would be deployed to ongoing electricity projects, while unusable items would be disposed of appropriately.

The exercise follows the recovery of 110 abandoned containers and 216 packages by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company under its Managing Director, Jennifer Adighije.

The recovery reportedly saved more than N30bn and helped unlock about 470 megawatts of electricity generation capacity through recovered turbines.

The Ministry of Power has not disclosed the specific contents or condition of the 44 containers, or when the equipment would be deployed. Their actual contribution to improving electricity supply will therefore depend on the inspection results and the implementation of subsequent projects.