The national grid collapsed on Friday for the first time in 2026.

The system failure occurred around 1 pm, when load allocation to all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) fell to zero.

Data obtained from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) showed that power generation dropped to zero megawatts (MW), leading to a total shutdown of electricity supply across the country.

A review of the national distribution load profile at the time of the incident indicated that all DisCos — including Abuja, Eko, Benin, Enugu, Ibadan, Ikeja, Jos, Kano, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Yola — recorded zero load, confirming a nationwide outage.

The collapse came shortly after grid operators reported strong electricity demand in major urban centres.

Before the system failure, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company was receiving about 639 MW, while Ikeja Electric drew approximately 630 MW, reflecting what officials described as robust demand across key cities.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which manages the national grid, had yet to disclose the cause of the collapse as of the time of filing this report.

• Awujale stool protesters, Friday 23 January, 2026.

A peaceful protest broke out on Friday in Ijebu Ode over alleged plans to impose the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

The protesters marched through Awujale Palace Road on their way to the Ijebu Ode Local Government Secretariat to register their displeasure over the development.

Earlier, the Ogun State Government, on Tuesday, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, halted the Awujale selection process following a flood of petitions received from security agencies and other stakeholders.

The nominees for the stool were mandated to report to the Department of States Security (DSS) office in Ogun State.

Tension gripped Lekki Palm Estate on Thursday morning following an attack by a group of suspected miscreants who claimed they were acting on the directives of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and Oba Olumegbo.

Eyewitnesses said that the individuals stormed the estate and invoked the monarchs name while carrying out their actions, a development that immediately caused panic and concern among residents.

As at the time of filing this report, the claim that the group was sent by the Oba’s could not be independently verified.

Efforts to obtain clarification from official palace sources were still ongoing.

The situation attracted the prompt response of security operatives, with officers of the Lagos State Police Command arrested some of the suspects.

Police authorities have since launched investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and the authenticity of the claims made by those involved.

Residents have called on relevant authorities to swiftly address the matter and ensure the continued safety of lives and property within the estate.