Many Nigerians were thrown into frustration on Christmas Day as large parts of the country remained without electricity following a nationwide drop in power supply.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), which manages the national grid, had earlier attributed the decline in electricity supply to an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline in Delta State.

The pipeline is operated by the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

In an update issued late Wednesday, NISO assured Nigerians that power supply would return to normal “soon,” noting that repair works on the damaged gas pipeline were nearing completion.

Despite the assurance, findings by Tribune Online revealed that power outages persisted across most parts of the country on Christmas Day, forcing many households and businesses to mark the festive season in darkness.

The development has once again highlighted the deep-rooted challenges confronting Nigeria’s power sector more than a decade after its privatization in November 2013.

Figures released by NISO on Wednesday showed that the eleven electricity distribution companies (DisCos) received a total of 3,272 megawatts from the national grid for distribution to a population of over 250 million people. The shortfall resulted in widespread load shedding and, in some areas, complete outages.

Nigeria’s electricity generation has remained largely stagnant between 3,000 and 5,000 megawatts over the past 12 years, despite repeated reforms and policy promises.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had earlier pledged in 2024 that the country would attain 6,000 megawatts of electricity generation by December 2025.

Social media reacts

As Nigerians continue to grapple with erratic power supply, the Christmas blackout has further intensified public criticism of the nation’s electricity value chain and renewed calls for urgent, sustainable reforms.

Reacting, some netizens took to social media to decry the lingering epileptic power supply while calling on the government to address the situation.

Here are some reactions gathered from Tribune’s Facebook handle:

Nwudu Austin: “Iyewo estate, Akesan, LASU-IGANDO EXPRESS WAY, LAGOS STATE, is in total darkness day and night. For 17 years now, never a day that I have not used my Generator. We have been to IKDC offices, we have written, they all ended in mere promises. We have been to Hon Akinsanya Lasisi Ayinde, Chairman, Ikotun Igando LCDA, he promised to give us Transformer. That was before his reelection. We need 500kva Transformer.

We are tired of darkness. Pls, help us.”

Omowunmi Magaret Falola: “They restore Power just this morning by 5:00am then off it by 6:23am after almost 2weeks. Is as bad as that.”

Evans Clone Alaafia: “No Electricity, No Generator, just cooling the body with untaxable fresh air from God. Happy Xmas.”

Waheed Olawale Kenny: “No Light o pls hlp us beg IBEDC – Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company we are on Band A but we don’t have Light for 10days now here in sango otta ogun state.”

Enehe Shaibu: “No power supply in my area Sagamu Ogun state. I even think some time whether we have minister of power or individual controls supply.”

Oyegbile Paul Aderibigbe: “No power supply for my house oo. This year Christmas is the worst, no money to take celebrate. I just gentle. While some dwarf Africans donate and sell their properties in the name that the world will end today at a African country, which the yeye prophet don chop their money and told them that he has prayed to God to build more ark. Who do us for Africa?”

Shola Ajetunmobi Olorun Eto: “Zone 8 Olorunsogo Ado Ekiti, celebrating the Xmas with Generator. BEDC powder supply to the area is -zero.” (TRIBUNE)