Residents of Lagos and Ogun States are bracing for extended hours of darkness as electricity distribution companies (DisCos) announce a new schedule of daily 9-hour power cuts, citing ongoing challenges with power generation and national grid instability.
The development, which began earlier this week, has already begun disrupting daily life — affecting businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and millions of households. According to official communication from the affected DisCos, the cuts are part of a load-shedding arrangement necessitated by a significant drop in power supply from the national grid.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported that multiple power stations are underperforming due to gas shortages and infrastructure maintenance issues. As a result, overall national generation has fallen below 3,500 megawatts — far short of the country’s estimated demand of over 20,000 megawatts.
“This is not sabotage,” said TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah. “It’s a supply problem, compounded by outdated infrastructure and underinvestment in energy transmission.”
The impact cuts across all demographics, but low-income households and small businesses are the hardest hit. Communities in densely populated areas like Ikorodu, Agege, Sango-Ota, and Ifo have reported near-total blackouts during evening hours, forcing many families to rely on candles, rechargeable lamps, or expensive fuel-powered generators.
Small business owners, especially those in tailoring, food processing, and tech repair sectors, say they’re losing income daily. “With nine hours of no power, I can’t meet customer deadlines,” lamented Grace Oladapo, a baker in Abeokuta. “Fuel is too expensive now.”
Energy experts warn that prolonged outages could trigger inflation, especially for perishable goods and services reliant on stable electricity. Hospitals and schools may also struggle, especially those without backup power systems.
“This isn’t just about inconvenience — it’s about equity and access,” said Dr. Ayodeji Okonkwo, an energy policy researcher. “Without urgent reforms, we risk widening the gap between those who can afford alternatives and those who can’t.”
While the federal government has pledged ongoing investments in renewable energy and power reforms, critics say progress has been slow and uncoordinated. Citizens and advocacy groups are calling for more transparent communication, emergency support for small businesses, and accelerated infrastructure upgrades.
For now, residents are urged to check with their respective DisCos for updated outage schedules and to adopt energy-saving strategies where possible.
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