BREAKING: Again, Nigerians thrown into darkness as national grid collapses

Nigeria’s national power grid has collapsed for the second time in just three days, leaving millions of households and businesses without electricity and disrupting daily life across the nation.

The latest grid failure, occurring in the early hours, has impacted both urban and rural areas, affecting power distribution to key regions and essential services alike.

The frequency of these grid failures has raised widespread concern, with households and businesses in various states reporting sudden power losses and no clear timeline for restoration.

This situation has intensified frustration among citizens, who rely on consistent electricity for both personal and professional needs.

Experts attribute these repeated failures to a range of long-standing issues plaguing Nigeria’s power infrastructure. Chronic underinvestment, aging equipment, and inadequate maintenance have all been cited as contributing factors to the grid’s instability.

READ ALSO:

• Ex-NYSC member kidnapped after passing out parade in Kebbi
• Tax reform: Tinubu should unite, not divide Nigeria, says Bauchi gov
• Horror, 10 farmers, 8 vigilante brutally killed, two Indians, others abducted in Niger State

The repeated disruptions have significantly affected productivity, business operations, and overall quality of life, prompting calls for urgent reforms.

Stakeholders in the power sector are pushing for large-scale investments in infrastructure and a strategic approach to maintenance as essential steps toward stabilizing the grid.

Many also advocate for diversifying Nigeria’s energy sources, suggesting that a mix of renewable energy options could reduce dependency on a single, central grid system.

This shift, they argue, could help prevent future collapses and ensure a more reliable power supply for millions of Nigerians.

With each blackout, the need for a robust, sustainable solution becomes more pressing.

As Nigeria continues to develop economically, addressing these power challenges will be crucial for supporting growth, improving the standard of living, and meeting the demands of a modern, energy-dependent society.

BREAKING: Again, Nigerians thrown into darkness as national grid collapses

Ex-NYSC member kidnapped after passing out parade in Kebbi

Tax reform: Tinubu should unite, not divide Nigeria, says Bauchi gov

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the recently proposed tax reform bills, urging that they be reviewed with a focus on unity rather than division.

He appealed to the president to halt the bills’ progress and conduct wide consultations to ensure they were fair and balanced before being passed into law.

The proposals, particularly the shift to a derivative-based model for distributing value-added tax (VAT), sparked strong objections from northern governors and traditional leaders.

They argue that the model would disproportionately disadvantage less industrialised regions, especially the northern states.

Despite these concerns, the president has rejected calls to withdraw the bills.

Speaking on BBC Hausa Service, Governor Bala warned that the proposed tax reforms would worsen the economic hardship already faced by many northern states.

“Any reform to the tax bill, as it stands, is a recipe for further impoverishment of the north. What we need is a debate on a tax system that will not harm any region,” Governor Mohammed said.

He explained that northern states, many of which already face significant financial challenges, would be further strained by the proposed tax model. For instance, he pointed out that Bauchi State struggles to meet its salary obligations due to insufficient funds.

READ ALSO:

• Horror, 10 farmers, 8 vigilante brutally killed, two Indians, others abducted in Niger State
• Doctors seeking commissioner sack begin strike in major Kano hospital
• Senator Ndume under attack for opposing Tinubu’s tax reform bill

“We receive about N2 billion in monthly federal allocation, but our salary bill stands at N4 billion, with local government salaries alone amounting to N3 billion. We also do not receive any derivatives from oil sales due to the current revenue-sharing formula,” he added.

He explained that while northern states are major consumers of goods and services-especially in industries like telecommunications-the tax revenue generated by these sectors often benefits southern states, where the companies’ headquarters are located.

This uneven distribution, according to Governor Bala, exacerbated the financial difficulties of northern states, urging the president to address this disparity and ensure that all regions are fairly represented in the revenue-sharing process.

“We are operating a federal system, and we are one country. No state or region should be disadvantaged in the distribution of revenue,” Governor Bala said.

He also expressed frustration at what he perceived as the president’s lack of willingness to address the concerns raised by northern leaders.

“If the federal government persists with this reform, we will be forced to mobilise our federal lawmakers, who are numerous, to block the bill,” he warned.

“It is as though the President wants to suffocate us, and we are not going to fold our arms or accept this,” he added.

The Bauchi governor also urged President Tinubu to reconsider his stance, reminding him that Nigeria operates under a democratic system where the voices of the people, through their representatives, should be respected.

He pointed out that even the president’s deputy, Kashim Shettima, and other representatives had already objected to the bill and called for its amendment.

Governor Mohammed called for a national dialogue on tax reform, one that aims to unite the country rather than divide it, ensuring that all regions are included in the pursuit of economic fairness and growth.

Tax reform: Tinubu should unite, not divide Nigeria, says Bauchi gov