JUST IN: Nationwide blackout hits Nigeria as electricity workers protest over minimum wage

In a dramatic turn of events, Nigeria has been plunged into darkness as electricity workers comply with the joint directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to down tools in protest of the new minimum wage.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed the shutdown of the National Grid in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah.

TCN reported that workers were forcefully removed from their duties, resulting in grid instability and widespread power outages nationwide.

Efforts to restore the grid are underway, but labour unrest over new minimum wage poses challenges.

The statement:

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in black out nationwide. The national grid shut down occured at about 2.19am this morning, 3rd June 2024.

“At about 1:15am this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that all operators were driven away from the control room and that staff that resisted were beaten while some were wounded in the course of forcing them out of the control room and without any form of control or supervision, the Benin Area Control Center was brought to zero.

“Other transmission substations that were shut down, by the Labour Union include the Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba and Osogbo Transmission Substations. Some transmission lines were equally opened due to the ongoing activities of the labour union.

“On the power generating side, power generating units from different generating stations were forced to shut down some units of their generating plants, the Jebba Generating Station was forced to shut down one of its generating units while three others in the same substation subsequently shut down on very high frequency. The sudden forced load cuts led to high frequency and system instability, which eventually shut down the national grid at 2:19am.

“At about 3.23am, however, TCN commenced grid recovery, using the Shiroro Substation to attempt to feed the transmission lines supplying bulk electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. The situation is such that the labour Union is still obstructing grid recovery nationwide.

“We will continue to make effort to recover and stabilize the grid to enable the restoration of normal bulk transmission of electricity to distribution load centres nationwide,” TCN stated.

The situation remains tense as the country grapples with the implications of the nationwide blackout. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

Topnaija recalled that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a plea to organized labour, urging them to reconsider proceeding with a nationwide strike over the failed agreement on a new minimum wage.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, concerns were raised about the potential ramifications of the strike, including heightened tension and political instability across Nigeria.

Adejobi emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the country, particularly during economic and social challenges.