Nigerians are experiencing reduced electricity supply across the country as shortages of natural gas and declining water inflows into hydroelectric reservoirs continue to affect power generation on the national grid.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, explaining that the combined challenges had significantly reduced the amount of electricity available for distribution.
According to the operator, inadequate gas supplies have prevented some thermal power stations from generating electricity at their available capacity. At the same time, reduced water inflows into reservoirs have affected the output of hydroelectric power plants.
NISO explained that the situation had affected electricity allocations to Distribution Companies (DisCos), resulting in fewer hours of power supply and increased load shedding across their networks.
The operator noted that the impact differs from one distribution network to another, depending on the amount of electricity available on the national grid and the allocation received by each DisCo.
The development comes at a difficult time for households and businesses that depend on regular electricity for daily activities. With reduced grid supply, many consumers may have to rely more heavily on petrol and diesel generators, adding to their operating expenses.
In its statement, NISO acknowledged the difficulties caused by the generation shortfall and expressed concern over the impact on electricity consumers and other stakeholders in the power sector.
The system operator also disclosed that efforts were ongoing to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix to improve the reliability and security of electricity supply.
It reaffirmed its commitment to managing the available power efficiently, maintaining grid stability and ensuring the secure operation of the national electricity network despite the current constraints.
However, NISO did not provide a specific timeline for when generation levels and electricity supply would return to normal.
The latest development highlights the continued challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector, particularly its dependence on gas-fired plants and hydroelectric facilities. Addressing gas supply limitations and strengthening alternative energy sources remain important to improving the reliability of electricity across the country.
