At a time when many Nigerians are already frustrated with erratic electricity, Ikeja Electric has said the situation is not just a Lagos problem, but a symptom of a deeper, nationwide power crisis.

The distribution company, which supplies electricity to large parts of Lagos, said the persistent outages affecting homes and businesses are tied to a significant drop in power generation across the country. According to its Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Okotie, the issue goes beyond local distribution challenges and is rooted in constraints within the national grid.

“The ongoing reduction in electricity supply is largely due to a nationwide drop in power generation, caused by limited gas supply to thermal power plants. This has significantly reduced the energy available on the national grid and, consequently, the allocation to Ikeja Electric and other distribution companies,” he said.

For many residents and business owners, that explanation does little to ease the daily reality of unreliable power. Across Lagos, households are adjusting routines around blackout schedules, while small businesses grapple with rising costs as they turn to generators and other alternatives to stay afloat. For those who depend heavily on constant electricity, the situation is fast becoming unsustainable, especially as fuel prices continue to rise nationwide.

Ikeja Electric acknowledged the strain, noting that the reduced allocation has forced it to ration what little supply is available. The company said it is working to distribute electricity as fairly as possible across its network, even as demand continues to outpace supply.

“The management regrets the inconvenience caused and appreciates the patience and understanding of our customers during this period,” Okotie added.

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However, beyond distribution challenges, pressure is building at the generation level. Power generation companies, known as GenCos, are currently burdened by an estimated ₦6.8 trillion debt, a figure that has accumulated over the years and continues to grow by about ₦200 billion monthly. This financial strain has limited their ability to maintain infrastructure, procure gas, and operate at full capacity.

Industry data also shows that about 60 percent of payments owed across the electricity value chain remain unpaid, creating severe liquidity challenges. This has had a direct impact on gas suppliers, many of whom are increasingly reluctant to continue supplying gas without guaranteed payment.

That reluctance is critical in a system where gas-fired plants account for nearly 70 percent of Nigeria’s electricity generation. With less gas being supplied, generation drops, and the effect is immediately felt across distribution networks like Ikeja Electric.

The result is a fragile and recurring cycle. Reduced gas supply leads to lower power generation, which in turn limits what distribution companies can deliver to consumers. For Nigerians already dealing with inconsistent electricity, the outages are not just technical issues; they are economic and social disruptions that affect daily life and business survival.

Meiza Nigeria