The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has reported a significant decline in the country’s electricity generation, which dropped from over 4,300 megawatts (MW) recorded in the early hours of Sunday, 28th September 2025, to approximately 3,200 MW at its lowest point.
In an official statement, the operator attributed this sharp generation shortfall to industrial action undertaken by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which has caused critical disruptions within the nation’s gas supply chain.
“The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) wishes to notify the public of recent major generation shortfalls on the national grid, caused by industrial actions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain,” the statement read.
It further elaborated, “These disruptions triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation from over 4,300MW in the early hours of Sunday, 28 September 2025, to about 3,200MW at the lowest point.”
In response to the crisis, NISO stated that it immediately deployed a series of contingency measures designed to preserve the stability, security, and reliability of the national grid. These key interventions included optimising output from hydropower plants, carefully managing generation dispatch and load balancing across the network, and providing necessary voltage and frequency support.
The operator confirmed that as a final resort to prevent a complete system-wide collapse and to ensure a fair distribution of the limited available power, it was forced to implement selective load shedding, a controlled process of cutting power to certain areas.
According to NISO, these timely actions enabled its National Control Centre (NCC) to minimise the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages. The measures helped sustain operational security and maintain electricity supply to critical infrastructure and loads, thereby successfully averting a nationwide blackout.
“The system operator reaffirms its commitment to proactive grid management, operational excellence, and the application of best-in-class practices to guarantee a secure and reliable electricity supply for the nation,” the statement added.
The power crisis comes as PENGASSAN commenced its strike action on Monday, proceeding with the industrial dispute despite calls for calm and intervention from the federal government.
