Lagos faces major power outage after twin failures at Egbin, transmission line 

Lagos is facing a widespread power outage after a critical double disruption knocked out a major chunk of electricity supply to the nation’s commercial hub.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) said a sudden shutdown of the Egbin Power Station and a transmission line failure had significantly weakened power delivery to the state, forcing emergency load-shedding measures.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the system operator disclosed that the Egbin plant suffered a major operational disturbance late on April 28, wiping out its entire output and tightening supply constraints across Lagos.

The incident has also sparked unconfirmed reports of a contractor’s death at the facility, though officials have yet to verify the claim or provide details on what may have occurred.

According to NISO, the disruption happened at about 8:21 p.m., when Egbin’s generation abruptly dropped from approximately 641 megawatts to zero.

The outage was traced to critical equipment failure within the plant, specifically the breakdown of its central compressor and a malfunction in the circulating water pump system. The faults forced an immediate shutdown of all generating units to protect the facility from further damage.

The situation was further worsened by a transmission constraint limiting power flow into Lagos.

“Power supply to the Lagos region is currently further restricted due to the forced outage of the Osogbo–Ikeja West 330kV transmission line,” the operator said, noting that the fault has hampered the evacuation of available electricity into the Lagos load centre.

The combined impact of the generation collapse and transmission failure has created a major supply gap, prompting authorities to ration electricity to stabilise the grid and prevent a broader system failure.

NISO said contingency measures have been activated, including redistributing available power among distribution companies and prioritising critical infrastructure.

Efforts are also underway to ramp up generation from other plants to cushion the impact on consumers.

The agency apologised for the disruption, acknowledging that Lagos and surrounding areas have been hardest hit, and assured residents that stakeholders are working to restore normal supply as quickly as possible.

Located in Ikorodu, Egbin Power Station remains Nigeria’s largest thermal plant on the national grid, with an installed capacity exceeding 1,300MW. Its strategic importance means any outage typically triggers immediate and widespread supply shortages, especially in Lagos, the country’s biggest electricity market.

The Osogbo–Ikeja West 330kV line is equally vital, serving as a key transmission backbone that channels power into Lagos from other parts of the country.

The latest incident once again underscores the vulnerability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure, where isolated failures in generation or transmission can quickly cascade into large-scale outages, highlighting the urgent need for system upgrades and improved maintenance.

Cyberbullying: Police Confirm Arresting Rolex Dee Over Taye Currency’s Petition

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed that efforts are underway to track and arrest controversial social media personality, Rolex Dee, following a cyberbullying and defamation complaint reportedly filed by popular Fuji musician, Taye Currency.

Police authorities disclosed that the matter is currently under investigation after receiving a formal petition accusing Rolex Dee of using social media platforms to allegedly harass, threaten, and defame the musician.

According to police sources, detectives attached to the command’s cybercrime unit have already commenced digital tracking and intelligence gathering aimed at locating the suspect.

The command said the investigation followed several online videos and livestream sessions allegedly containing defamatory remarks and offensive statements directed at Taye Currency.

A senior police official familiar with the case reportedly confirmed that steps were being taken to ensure the suspect is apprehended and questioned in line with provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.

“We have received a complaint, investigation has commenced, and efforts are ongoing to track and arrest the individual involved,” the source said.

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The development comes after tensions escalated on social media between supporters of the Fuji singer and followers of Rolex Dee, with several viral clips generating heated reactions online.

Taye Currency, whose real name is Alhaji Taye Akande Adebisi, is one of the leading Fuji musicians in the Southwest and has maintained a strong fan base for years.

Sources close to the musician alleged that repeated online attacks against him and members of his family forced him to seek police intervention.

The controversy has further sparked debate over the increasing use of social media for personal attacks, cyberbullying, blackmail, and reputational damage among celebrities and influencers in Nigeria.

Legal experts say the Nigerian Cybercrimes Act empowers law enforcement agencies to investigate online harassment, cyberstalking, threats, and publication of false information capable of causing emotional, psychological, or reputational harm.

Meanwhile, supporters of Rolex Dee have reacted online, with some insisting that the issue should be resolved amicably rather than through criminal prosecution.

Human rights advocates have also urged security agencies to ensure that investigations respect constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, while distinguishing criticism from criminal cyber harassment.

The police command has, however, warned social media users against abusing digital platforms to intimidate, threaten, or spread harmful content against others.

Authorities reiterated that individuals found guilty of cyberbullying, cyberstalking, or online defamation could face prosecution under Nigerian law.

Cyberbullying: Police Confirm Arresting Rolex Dee Over Taye Currency’s Petition

FG Declares Friday Public Holiday for 2026 Workers’ Day Celebration

The Federal Government has declared Friday, May 1, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate this year’s International Workers’ Day celebration across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holiday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani.

According to the statement, the government said the holiday would allow Nigerian workers to celebrate their contributions to national development and economic growth.

Tunji-Ojo praised workers across both the public and private sectors for their resilience, dedication, and commitment despite prevailing economic challenges facing the country.

He noted that Nigerian workers remain the backbone of the nation’s development and commended their continued sacrifices toward sustaining productivity and public service delivery.

“Nigerian workers have continued to demonstrate diligence, resilience, and patriotism in the face of challenges. Their efforts remain essential to Nigeria’s growth and prosperity,” the minister stated.

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The minister urged workers to continue embracing patriotism, productivity, discipline, and dedication to duty, describing these qualities as critical to sustainable national development and economic transformation.

“These qualities are crucial for sustainable development,” Tunji-Ojo emphasized.

He further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, enhancing workplace security, and creating a more enabling environment for economic growth and job creation.

The minister also called on Nigerians to use the occasion of Workers’ Day to reflect on the importance of unity, peace, and collective responsibility in nation-building.

Tunji-Ojo congratulated workers nationwide on the celebration of the 2026 May Day and wished them a peaceful and memorable holiday.

International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, is celebrated annually on May 1 to recognize the contributions of workers and labour movements globally.

In Nigeria, labour unions including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) traditionally mark the occasion with rallies, speeches, and demands for improved welfare, better working conditions, and economic reforms.

This year’s celebration is expected to focus heavily on issues surrounding inflation, cost of living, minimum wage implementation, job security, taxation, and workers’ welfare amid ongoing economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government.

Several state governments and labour organizations are already making preparations for rallies and parades expected to take place in major cities including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Ibadan.

Security agencies are also expected to deploy personnel to major venues nationwide to ensure peaceful celebrations and maintain public order during the holiday.

FG Declares Friday Public Holiday for 2026 Workers’ Day Celebration