Major Power Disruption Hits Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has officially confirmed a significant power outage affecting numerous communities across the Federal Capital Territory and parts of Nasarawa State. The electricity disruption, which began on Wednesday, has left residents in darkness as technicians work to resolve the technical issues.
Affected Communities Experience Widespread Blackout
According to the detailed statement released by AEDC, the power outage impacts multiple residential and commercial areas. In the Federal Capital Territory, affected locations include:
- Karu and surrounding neighborhoods
- Nyanya district
- Jikwoyi residential area
- Orozo community
- Karshi and adjacent settlements
In Nasarawa State, the blackout extends to:
- Mararaba urban center
- Ado and New Karu districts
- Keffi town and Laminga area
- Nasarawa Toto locality
- Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon communities
Technical Fault at Transmission Substation Identified as Cause
The distribution company explained that the widespread electricity disruption stems from a technical fault on the 132kV incomer breaker at the Karu Transmission Substation. This critical infrastructure component plays a vital role in channeling electricity to the affected regions, meaning any malfunction causes extensive service interruptions.
Engineers from the Transmission Company of Nigeria are currently on-site working to repair the faulty equipment and restore normal operations. The technical team is addressing the breaker issue that has disrupted the flow of electricity through this key transmission facility.
Company Issues Apology and Restoration Timeline
Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc has formally apologized to customers for the inconvenience caused by the unexpected power outage. The company has appealed for patience from affected residents while restoration work continues.
"We sincerely regret the disruption to electricity services in these areas," the company stated. "Our technical teams are working alongside TCN engineers to resolve the issue as quickly as possible."
AEDC has provided a specific restoration timeline, indicating that power supply should be fully restored by 11:30 PM on March 26, 2026. Customers have been advised to contact the company's customer service lines for further updates and to report any persistent issues after the scheduled restoration time.
Broader Context of Nigeria's Electricity Challenges
This incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing electricity supply challenges across Nigeria. Earlier this week, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company explained that nationwide power reductions resulted from decreased electricity generation due to limited gas supply to thermal plants.
The reduced generation capacity has lowered allocations on the national grid, constraining the electricity available for distribution to customers across various regions. Multiple distribution companies have acknowledged growing customer frustration and expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by these supply constraints.
AEDC's Long-Term Improvement Plans
Despite current challenges, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has announced ambitious plans to significantly reduce blackouts and improve electricity supply reliability across its franchise area by 2027. The improvement initiative targets four states: Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa.
A key component of this plan involves the 350-megawatt gas plant being developed in Gwagwalada by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. Additionally, AEDC is implementing measures to combat energy theft and enhance metering transparency as part of a comprehensive energy masterplan designed to transform electricity delivery in the region.
Customers within the DisCo's coverage area have been assured that they should expect noticeable improvements in supply reliability within the coming year as these various initiatives progress toward implementation.
