Electricity workers in Nigeria shut down the national grid on Monday, causing a nationwide blackout that impacted homes, businesses, and essential services across the country.
Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager of Public Affairs for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), stated that the shutdown occurred at approximately 2:19 a.m. on June 3, 2024.
Mbah explained that at around 1:15 a.m., the Benin Transmission Operator, part of TCN’s Independent System Operations unit, reported that operators were forcibly removed from the control room.
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Additional transmission substations affected by the labour union’s actions include Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba, and Osogbo. Several transmission lines were also opened as a result of the union’s activities.
On the generation side, power units from various stations were forced to shut down. At the Jebba Generating Station, one generating unit was shut down, followed by three others due to high frequency, leading to system instability and the eventual grid shutdown at 2:19 a.m.
When TCN attempted to recover the grid at about 3:23 a.m., the labour union’s obstruction hindered restoration efforts.
However, Mbah insisted that TCN would continue making efforts to recover and stabilize the grid to enable the restoration of normal bulk transmission of electricity to distribution centres.
Energy Afrique understands that the Nigerian workers’ union commenced the strike on Monday, June 3, 2024, in response to the Federal Government’s failure to implement a new minimum wage.
