The Federal Government has acknowledged worsening electricity supply disruptions across Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Kwara and Oyo states, attributing the decline to maintenance challenges, gas shortages and reduced hydropower generation.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the affected areas had recorded improvements in electricity supply before the latest disruptions, which he described as the result of operational challenges across the power sector.
He explained that inadequate gas supply to thermal power stations and reduced water inflows into hydroelectric reservoirs had also affected electricity generation.
The development comes amid growing complaints from consumers over reduced hours of electricity supply across the country.
Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator indicated that the 11 electricity distribution companies received a combined allocation of 2,926 megawatts as of 4:41pm on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company received the highest allocation of 633MW, representing about 21.6 per cent of the total, followed by Ibadan Disco with 391MW and Port Harcourt Disco with 320MW.
Benin Disco received 264MW, while Eko Disco and Enugu Disco were allocated 256MW and 253MW, respectively. Ikeja Disco received 249MW.
Other allocations included Kano Disco with 173MW, Kaduna Disco with 167MW, Jos Disco with 146MW and Yola Disco with 74MW, the lowest among the distribution companies.
The figures represent electricity allocated to the distribution companies at the stated time and do not necessarily reflect the actual power delivered to consumers.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Adeola Adelabu, Tegbe said preliminary assessments indicated that the disruptions were not caused by a major or systemic failure of the national grid.
He said the ministry was working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Nigerian Independent System Operator and electricity distribution companies to address the challenges and restore normal supply.
“The Ministry acknowledges the inconvenience this has caused households, businesses and public institutions, and understands the frustration of Nigerians who had begun to see the benefits of steadier supply.
“We recognise what every hour without power means for individuals, families and businesses, and we do not take it lightly,” the minister said.
Tegbe added that he had engaged relevant agencies and distribution companies to resolve the operational constraints, accelerate ongoing maintenance and provide consumers with updates on restoration efforts.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has facilitated the release of 44 containers of electricity equipment from Apapa ports in Lagos, where more than 300 containers had remained stranded, some since 2014.
The minister said the clearance followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive after the last Federal Executive Council meeting, mandating the Ministry of Power to work with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority to resolve outstanding issues.
According to him, the President directed the agencies to reconcile outstanding charges and facilitate the release of the equipment.
Tegbe said the first 44 containers had been released, adding that technical experts would inspect their contents before deployment.
He explained that serviceable equipment would be deployed to ongoing electricity projects, while unusable items would be disposed of appropriately.
The development follows the recovery of 110 abandoned containers and 216 packages by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company under its Managing Director, Jennifer Adighije.
The recovery reportedly saved more than N30bn and helped unlock approximately 470 megawatts of electricity generation capacity through recovered turbines.
The ministry said the latest clearance was expected to provide additional equipment for ongoing power infrastructure projects. However, it did not disclose the specific contents of the 44 containers, their condition or the expected timeline for deployment.