Gas shortages, falling water levels worsen Nigeria’s power crisis, says NISO

Nigerians may face longer power outages as gas shortages and declining water levels at hydroelectric reservoirs continue to weaken electricity generation across the national grid.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) disclosed this on Thursday, warning that constraints affecting the country’s two major sources of electricity had reduced the power available for distribution to consumers.

The development has forced electricity distribution companies to cut supply hours and increase load shedding across their networks, worsening the hardship for households and businesses amid intense heat.

In a statement signed by its management, NISO said inadequate gas supplies had prevented some thermal power stations from operating at their available capacity, while reduced water inflows into reservoirs had affected output from hydroelectric plants.

“The current decline in electricity generation on the national grid is primarily attributed to constraints in gas supply to thermal power generating stations and reduced output from hydroelectric power stations,” the operator said.

It explained that the combined challenges had reduced electricity allocations to distribution companies, leaving consumers with fewer hours of supply.

“Consequently, the reduction in available generation has affected the quantum of electricity allocated to Distribution Companies (DisCos) for onward supply to consumers, thereby resulting in reduced hours of electricity supply and increased load shedding across distribution networks,” it stated.

The power shortfall comes at a particularly difficult time for Nigerians, as high temperatures have increased demand for electricity to operate fans, air conditioners and other cooling equipment.

Small businesses are also likely to face additional operating costs as they turn to petrol and diesel generators to power refrigeration systems, water pumps and other essential equipment.

The situation has raised further concerns over the country's exposure to changing weather patterns, including the emerging El Niño phenomenon, which is associated with unusually high temperatures and changes in rainfall.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had confirmed in an August 2026 climate update that a strong El Niño event had developed, while the World Meteorological Organisation projected that it could strengthen towards the end of the year and persist into early 2027.

Nigeria relies heavily on gas-fired thermal power stations, with hydroelectric plants providing another major source of electricity. Disruptions affecting either source therefore have significant consequences for grid supply.

Acknowledging the impact of the generation shortfall, NISO said it was working to manage available electricity and maintain grid stability.

“NISO acknowledges the impact of the current generation shortfall on electricity consumers nationwide and appreciates the concerns expressed by members of the public and other stakeholders,” the statement said.

The operator added that it remained committed to diversifying the national grid's energy mix and ensuring reliable electricity supply despite prevailing operational constraints.