Flooding Triggers Blackouts in Lagos, Osun

Heavy flooding caused by persistent rainfall has disrupted electricity infrastructure in Lagos and Osun states, leaving thousands of homes and businesses without power after critical transmission facilities were affected by floodwaters and failures on Nigeria’s national grid.

The outages, confirmed by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), have intensified concerns over the vulnerability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure during the rainy season.

According to EKEDC, electricity supply to parts of Lagos was significantly reduced after two critical transmission lines—the Oshogbo–Ikeja 330kV and Benin–Egbin 330kV lines—developed faults, forcing operators to implement load shedding across several business districts.

The disruption follows days of heavy rainfall that have overwhelmed parts of Lagos, raising fresh concerns about the resilience of the country’s electricity transmission network to extreme weather.

Earlier this month, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) declared a force majeure at the Oworonshoki 132/33kV and Lekki 330/132kV transmission substations after floodwaters submerged critical equipment, making restoration efforts difficult.

Several residential estates and commercial districts in Lagos experienced prolonged power outages.

Affected areas include:

• Chevron Drive
• Agungi
• Alpha Beach
• Ikate
• Elegushi
• Oniru
• Maroko
• Ajose Adeogun
• Osapa London
• Igbo Efon
• Ajiran
• Jakande/Coastal Road
• Parts of the Lekki corridor

EKEDC said some customers would continue to experience load shedding until electricity supply from the national grid is fully restored.

The company added that it is working closely with grid operators to restore normal service as quickly as possible.

In Osun State, IBEDC reported that heavy rainfall flooded the Ilerin Injection Substation, disrupting several electricity feeders and cutting power to multiple communities.

Areas affected include:

• Ifewara
• Iwara
• Bolorunduro
• Irogbo
• Ayeso
• Odo-Oro
• Wesley
• Express Area
• Ilerin
• Irojo
• Isare
• Iwikun

The company said engineers have been deployed to repair damaged infrastructure and restore supply once conditions become safe.

The outages have affected households, offices, shopping centres and small businesses, particularly in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Business owners have expressed concern over rising operating costs as many are forced to rely on fuel-powered generators to keep operations running.

Experts warn that prolonged electricity disruptions could affect productivity, increase business expenses and worsen existing challenges facing manufacturers and small enterprises already dealing with high energy costs.

The latest disruptions come as Nigeria enters the peak of its annual rainy season, a period often associated with flash floods, damaged infrastructure and electricity failures.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has repeatedly warned that several states, including Lagos and Osun, face a heightened risk of flooding this year and advised residents and relevant authorities to take precautionary measures.

Energy experts say recurring floods highlight the urgent need to climate-proof Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure by improving drainage around substations, strengthening flood protection measures and modernising aging transmission facilities.

Both EKEDC and IBEDC have assured customers that technical teams are working to restore normal electricity supply.

However, officials noted that restoration depends largely on the recovery of the affected transmission lines and the recession of floodwaters in impacted facilities.

Residents have been urged to remain patient while emergency repairs continue.

The latest blackouts underscore the growing impact of climate-related weather events on Nigeria’s critical infrastructure.

With flooding increasingly disrupting electricity supply, transportation and economic activities, experts say long-term investments in resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness will be essential to reducing the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather.