Ikeja Electric has said the persistent power outages being experienced across parts of Lagos are linked to a nationwide drop in electricity generation.
The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Okotie, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, explaining that reduced generation has significantly cut the amount of power available on the national grid.
According to him, this has directly affected the amount of electricity allocated to distribution companies, worsening supply conditions for homes and businesses.
“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,” he said.
He added that Ikeja Electric is trying to manage the limited supply as fairly as possible, while appealing to customers for patience during the period.
Across Lagos, the impact is already being felt. Many residents and business owners say the situation is becoming difficult to manage, especially with rising fuel costs for alternative power sources.
At the centre of the problem is the gas supply. Most of Nigeria’s electricity comes from gas-fired plants, and when gas is not available, generation drops sharply.
The issue is made worse by deeper structural problems in the sector. Power generation companies are currently dealing with an estimated N6.8 trillion in debt, which has been mounting since 2015 and continues to grow by about N200 billion each month. This has limited their ability to maintain infrastructure, buy gas, and keep operations running smoothly.
There is also a liquidity problem across the value chain, with around 60 percent of payments within the sector still unpaid.
This affects not just power producers, but also gas suppliers and transporters, creating a cycle that continues to disrupt supply.
Earlier, the federal government, through Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, said steps are already being taken to address the gas shortage and improve electricity generation.
“Concrete measures are being implemented to ensure more reliable and sustainable electricity for homes, businesses, and industries,” he said, adding that the reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu are beginning to take effect.
The government is also looking at financial solutions, including a proposed multi-trillion-naira bond to clear debts owed to power generation companies and gas suppliers.
If these measures are successfully implemented, they are expected to improve cash flow in the sector and help stabilise electricity supply. But for now, many Nigerians are still dealing with the reality of inconsistent power and the cost that comes with it.
