In January 2026, Nigeria's electricity grid faced significant operational challenges, operating with a generation capacity of just 36%, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). This low generation availability was marked by frequent system instabilities, leading to concerns about the reliability of power supply in the country. The report highlighted that although Nigeria has a total installed generation capacity of 13,625 megawatts (MW), only an average of 4,901 MW was available for dispatch during the period.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission's report indicated that the grid-connected power plants were underperforming significantly, with a recorded Plant Availability Factor (PAF) consistently hovering around 36%. Additionally, the average frequencies of the grid were reported to fall outside the prescribed limits, indicating potential instability and operational risks. The average lower grid frequency was measured at 49.03Hz, while the upper limit was 50.66Hz, both exceeding the acceptable range of 49.75Hz to 50.25Hz.

This operational shortfall raises critical questions about the challenges facing Nigeria's electricity sector, particularly in terms of infrastructure reliability and maintenance. The ongoing issues with low generation capacity and system instability could have severe implications for economic activities and everyday life in Nigeria, necessitating urgent reforms and investments in the energy sector to enhance capacity and reliability.