Power outages have worsened across five Nigerian states, with the Federal Government attributing the disruptions to gas shortages at thermal power stations and reduced hydropower output. The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, acknowledged the electricity supply problems affecting Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Kwara and Oyo states. He said the affected areas had seen improvements in supply before the latest disruptions, which resulted from maintenance and operational challenges across the electricity value chain. The Nigerian Independent System Operator identified inadequate gas supply and lower water inflows into hydroelectric reservoirs as major constraints on national grid generation.
Distribution data from 5 November 2026 showed the 11 electricity distribution companies received a combined allocation of 2,926 megawatts at 4:41pm that day. Abuja Electricity Distribution Company received the highest allocation at 633 megawatts, representing about 21.6 per cent of total power allocated to the distribution companies. Ibadan Disco followed with 391 megawatts, while Port Harcourt Disco received 320 megawatts. Benin Disco received 264 megawatts, Eko Disco was allocated 256 megawatts and Enugu Disco received 253 megawatts. Ikeja Disco got 249 megawatts, Kano Disco received 173 megawatts, Kaduna Disco 167 megawatts and Jos Disco 146 megawatts. Yola Disco received the lowest allocation at 74 megawatts, meaning Abuja Disco's allocation was more than eight times that of Yola Disco. The figures represent load allocated at that specific time rather than electricity ultimately delivered to consumers.
The Minister said preliminary assessments showed the disruptions were not caused by a major or systemic failure of the national grid. He stated that the Ministry was working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Nigerian Independent System Operator and electricity distribution companies to address the problems and restore normal supply. Tegbe acknowledged the inconvenience caused to households, businesses and public institutions and said the government recognised what each hour without power meant for individuals, families and businesses. He said he had engaged relevant agencies and distribution companies to resolve constraints and accelerate ongoing maintenance.
The government has also moved to recover abandoned power equipment, beginning with the clearance of 44 containers from Apapa ports in Lagos. President Bola Tinubu directed the Ministry of Power to work with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority to resolve outstanding issues with stranded containers, more than 300 of which remained at the port, some since 2014. The President instructed the agencies to reconcile outstanding charges and facilitate equipment release. Technical experts will inspect the contents of the 44 containers before deployment, with serviceable equipment going to ongoing electricity projects and unusable items disposed of appropriately. The clearance follows the recovery of 110 abandoned containers and 216 packages by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, which reportedly saved more than 30 billion naira and unlocked about 470 megawatts of electricity generation capacity through recovered turbines.
Reduced power supply means fewer hours of electricity for consumers, constraining household activities, business operations and public service delivery until the government resolves gas availability and maintenance issues.