The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has finally identified the cause behind the recent national grid collapse that plunged the entire country into darkness. The blackout, which occurred on Monday, October 21, 2024, caused massive disruptions across Nigeria, crippling electricity supply nationwide.
After several attempts to locate the fault, TCN confirmed that the collapse was triggered by a tripping on the 330kV Ugwuaji-Apir Double Circuit transmission line in the Igumale area of Benue State. The line, spanning 215km, was found to have snapped deep within the dense, swampy forests of Igumale, making it difficult for repair teams to locate and access the damage.
In an official statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, disclosed that the fault was identified late this evening. She explained, “The challenging terrain has hindered repair efforts, but we have mobilized heavy equipment, including a bulldozer and Hiab vehicle, to access the damaged line and commence repairs tomorrow morning.”
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The national grid collapse, which has left many regions—especially in the north—without power, has sparked renewed calls for urgent investment in Nigeria’s aging power infrastructure. Mbah acknowledged the frustrations of affected citizens, thanking the government and electricity consumers for their patience. “We understand the impact this has had on the nation, and we’re working urgently to restore stability to the system,” she said.
As Nigeria faces yet another grid collapse, the incident highlights the pressing need for modernization and robust maintenance strategies to prevent such widespread outages in the future. TCN remains committed to swiftly resolving the issue and ensuring power is restored across the affected regions.
