By Deborah Nnamdi
The recent decline in electricity supply across Nigeria has been attributed to gas supply constraints that are limiting the optimal output and operational frequency of power-generating companies (GenCos).
This explanation was disclosed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in a post by Nigeria National Grid on its official account on X. The platform, which provides grid status updates from the perspective of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, stated that gas shortages are the major reason for the nationwide drop in power supply.
“Major reason for drop in power supply nationwide: GenCos are experiencing gas supply constraints affecting their optimal output and general operational frequency,” the post read.
Electricity distribution companies have also confirmed the impact of the gas shortage on supply to consumers. The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EEDC) said the recent reduction in power supply across the South-East was a direct result of gas constraints affecting power generation nationwide.
In a statement signed by its Group Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, EEDC explained that low system frequency caused by inadequate gas supply to GenCos compelled the Transmission Company of Nigeria to implement load shedding, leading to reduced electricity allocation to distribution companies.
The company said the development has affected the volume and quality of power supplied to customers served by its subsidiary firms—MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra, and EastLand. EEDC apologised to customers for the inconvenience and appealed for patience, noting that stakeholders in the electricity supply industry are working to resolve the challenge and restore normal service.
Similarly, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc (PHED) attributed the load shedding experienced by its customers to poor power generation and allocation. The company said reduced output from GenCos had led to inadequate supply across its franchise areas covering Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states, and urged customers to be patient as efforts continue to improve generation and allocation.
The explanations come amid widespread complaints from electricity consumers across the country, many of whom have reported prolonged outages in recent days.
Nigeria’s power sector has long grappled with gas supply challenges linked to poor infrastructure, security concerns, weak contractual frameworks, low domestic gas prices that discourage investment, and persistent payment and subsidy issues. Despite the country’s vast gas reserves, these problems have continued to limit supply to thermal power plants, resulting in frequent blackouts and strained power sector financing.
