Flooding, Grid Disruptions Trigger Blackouts Across Lagos, Osun Communities

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)

Flooding, Grid Disruptions Trigger Blackouts Across Lagos, Osun Communities

Parts of Lagos and Osun states have been thrown into blackouts following separate disruptions to electricity infrastructure, with the failure of two major transmission lines reducing power supply in Lagos and flooding damaging distribution facilities in parts of Osun. The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) announced on Wednesday that electricity allocation to their networks had been reduced, forcing load shedding across some of their business units. The Eko Electricity Distribution Company and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company have announced power outages across several communities under their coverage areas following heavy rainfall that disrupted electricity infrastructure. EKEDC in a statement issued on Wednesday said electricity supply to its network had been reduced after outages on the Oshogbo-Ikeja 330kV and Benin-Egbin 330kV transmission lines, resulting in load shedding across some of its business units. The DisCo said, “Some business units may experience load shedding. Cause: Grid Disruption. Osogbo/Ikeja 330kV line down. The Benin/Egbin 330kV line is down. Impact: Reduction in grid allocation”. The company did not indicate when the transmission lines would be restored but said it was engaging the relevant authorities to normalise electricity supply as quickly as possible.

The power disruption has affected several communities across Lagos, including Chevy View Estate, Chevron Drive, Agungi, Alpha Beach, Ikate, Elegushi, Carlton Gate, Kusenla, Victory Park Estate, Oniru, Maroko, Muri Okunola, Ajose Adeogun, Ligali Ayorinde, and parts of Aboyade Cole. Other affected locations are Morinho Drive, Landmark Road, Igbo Efon, Lekki Tollgate 2, Igbokusu, Gbangbala, Platinum Way, Jakande/Coastal Road, OADC/Mayegun, Ajiran, Chevron Alternative Area, and Osapa London. EKEDC assured customers that it was working with the national grid operator to restore normal electricity supply once the affected transmission lines are returned to service. “We are in constant contact with the national grid operator and will restore supply as soon as the lines are back. Thank you for your patience,” it stated. The company said it was engaging the relevant authorities to normalise electricity supply as quickly as possible, though no specific timeline was provided for full restoration.

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The power crisis follows an earlier declaration of force majeure by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on its Oworonshoki 132/33kV and Lekki 330/132kV transmission substations after severe flooding caused by persistent rainfall in Lagos. In a statement issued by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, TCN said the Oworonshoki substation had been forced out of service after rising floodwaters affected two of its power transformers, while emergency efforts were ongoing to keep the Lekki facility operational. According to the company, the affected transformers at Oworonshoki—TR1 (60MVA) and TR3 (30MVA)—tripped on no-load and could not be restored despite repeated attempts by engineers. TCN explained that all protection and control cables connected to the two transformers had been completely submerged, making it impossible to conduct the necessary integrity tests or restore the equipment while the flooding persists. “Presently, all power protection and control cables of the two power transformers are submerged in water, and efforts to evacuate the water have proved ineffective because the rainfall has continued,” the statement said. The company noted that the Lekki 330/132kV Transmission Substation remained in service, with engineers continuously pumping out floodwater to prevent the facility from suffering a similar shutdown.

The declaration of force majeure became inevitable because the flooding constituted an extraordinary circumstance beyond the company’s control, temporarily preventing normal operations at the affected transmission assets. The declaration of force majeure underscores the severity of the flooding and signals that TCN may be unable to meet certain operational obligations at the affected substations until normal conditions are restored. TCN disclosed that its engineers are working round the clock to evacuate floodwater from the Oworonshoki substation and restore the affected transformers once the site becomes safe for testing and recommissioning. The disruption is expected to impact electricity supply to customers of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company who receive power through the Oworonshoki transmission network. While apologising for the inconvenience, TCN assured electricity consumers that every available resource was being deployed to restore normal operations as quickly as possible. The company also emphasised that the force majeure declaration was a necessary legal step to protect the organisation from liability arising from circumstances beyond its control.

In addition to the Lagos disruptions, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has acknowledged the intermittent power supply and prolonged outages being experienced across its franchise areas, attributing the situation to a reduction in electricity load allocation from the national grid. The company said the supply constraints affect customers in Oyo, Ogun, Osun, and Kwara states, as well as parts of Ibadan metropolis, noting that the development has significantly limited the quantum of power available for distribution within its network. IBEDC expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to customers, admitting that the reduced allocation has resulted in extended outage periods in several communities. According to the company, it is in active engagement with the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Nigeria Independent System Operator to address the challenge and improve supply stability across its franchise. The firm said that, pending improvement in load allocation, the limited electricity currently available is being managed carefully to ensure fairness, with power being strategically allocated and equitably distributed across feeders and service bands to balance operational efficiency with customer needs.

The development comes amid widespread flooding in Lagos following prolonged rainfall, which has submerged major roads, disrupted traffic, and affected homes and businesses in several parts of the state. The incident underscores the growing vulnerability of critical electricity infrastructure to extreme weather events, particularly in low-lying areas of Lagos that are prone to flooding during intense rainfall. Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, recently called for an end to vandalism of power infrastructure, grid sabotage, energy theft, and estimated billing, insisting that restoring the country’s electricity sector requires collective responsibility from all participants in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. He described vandalism, grid sabotage, and energy theft as acts of “economic warfare” against Nigerian households, stating that power infrastructure should be designated and protected as Critical National Assets. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on its part, urged stronger collaboration among operators, strict regulatory compliance, improved customer service, and greater transparency to accelerate reforms in the industry.

TCN apologised for the disruption, expressing regret over the inconvenience to customers of Eko Electricity Distribution Company and other affected DisCos supplied from the affected transmission substations. The company said engineers are working to evacuate the floodwater to allow for further testing of the transformers and possible restoration of operations. The development comes as the government intensifies efforts to improve grid reliability and expand electricity access nationwide. As climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, there are growing calls for investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, including raising substations in flood-prone areas, improving drainage systems, and implementing early warning systems to protect critical assets from flooding. The power sector regulator has also emphasised the need for distribution companies to improve communication with customers during outages and provide timely updates on restoration efforts to manage expectations and reduce frustration among affected households and businesses.