Ikeja Electric blames grid shortfall for reduced supply as customers report 160 hours of darkness

Ikeja Electric has blamed the reduced hours of electricity supply across its network on a shortfall in the power allocated to it from Nigeria's national grid. The distribution company said this in a notice issued on Monday, October 5, 2026, through its official social media platforms, including its X account, @ikejaelectric.

The company serves customers across several parts of Lagos. It said the problem is not a fault within its own distribution network but the limited amount of electricity currently available to it from the grid.

What Ikeja Electric said

"We wish to inform customers across Ikeja Electric network that the reduced hours of electricity supply is due to a shortfall in the amount of power currently allocated to our network from the national grid," the company stated.

Ikeja Electric apologised for the disruption and appealed to customers for patience and understanding. It said it was working with relevant stakeholders to address the supply challenge.

"Please be assured that we are actively engaging the relevant stakeholders to improve the available power supply and will continue to distribute the power received from the grid as efficiently and equitably as possible," it added.

The company said it would keep customers informed as the situation develops. The notice follows an earlier apology to some Band A customers after Ikeja Electric failed to meet the expected minimum service level on some Band A feeders on September 30 and October 1.

Customers push back

The notice drew criticism from customers who said the reality on the ground was far worse than "reduced hours" suggested.

@ChristianoDivi1 wrote: "The situation here is not that of reduced hours. We no even see light at all and you people are talking of reduced hours. More than 160hrs of darkness in the last one week and you people are talking of REDUCED? Nawa oooo. Hope say our power minister dey hear all these one sha?"

@the_temiloluwa questioned the timing of the notice: "So we have to now demand for reasons as to why there is no electricity for 3 days before you guys inform us of what is happening???!! Kaiiii. We are cooked in this country."

@IamDx2 raised a wider concern about Lagos's dependence on the national grid: "Every 3 months there is a shortage in national grid. Lagos state is surrounded by waters but yet Lagos state is relaying on National power supply. For how long will this continue?"

National grid under pressure

The supply decline is not limited to Lagos. Nigeria's electricity generation fell sharply to 2,033.66MW on Monday, with 16 power plants recording zero generation. That is a drop of more than 3,300MW, or about 62%, from the 5,403MW recorded on September 24.

The fall has worsened blackouts across the country, forcing households and businesses to lean more on expensive diesel generators.

For now, Ikeja Electric customers have no clear timeline for improved supply. The company says it is engaging stakeholders, but the grid allocation it blames for the shortfall remains the deciding factor.