Nigeria faces the threat of nationwide blackouts as gas companies reduce their supply to power plants due to an outstanding N5.6 trillion debt owed to power generation companies.
The development has raised concerns about the stability of the national grid and the country’s ability to sustain its electricity supply.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Joy Ogaji, confirmed the development in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday.
She warned that the situation, if not urgently addressed, could push Nigeria deeper into darkness.
This warning came shortly after another national grid collapse threw the entire country into blackout earlier in the week.
Although partial restoration has since brought back about 4,000 megawatts, many plants are still operating below capacity.
Ogaji explained that while GenCos remain committed to supporting the country, the liquidity crisis in the sector has spiralled out of control. She disclosed that from January to August 2025 alone, an additional N1.6tn debt had accumulated, bringing the total outstanding to N5.6tn.
