The Governor of Ekiti State, Bioduna Oyebanji, has shared an exciting update on the state’s energy sector.

The governor announced that Ekiti has granted operational licenses to 14 electricity investors as part of a broader strategy to improve the state’s energy infrastructure.

This includes 3 distribution companies, 4 generation companies, 2 mini-grid generation companies, and 5 meter asset providers.

These licenses aim to strengthen power generation, streamline distribution, and ensure more reliable metering for residents, marking a major step forward in Ekiti’s energy development.

Currently, Ekiti receives around 20-25 MW of electricity from the national grid, which is far below the state’s estimated requirement of 120 MW.

This gap has often resulted in power shortages that affect both residents and businesses.

To address this, the state government has set an ambitious target of achieving 130 MW through a robust, locally managed state grid.

This will not only reduce dependency on the national grid but also empower Ekiti with more control over its energy future, fostering sustainability and stability.

The decision to decentralize electricity markets in Ekiti aligns with the 2023 Electricity Law Enactments, which were designed to give states the authority to manage their own electricity markets.

The law enables states to license providers who can meet the specific needs of their local communities, ensuring a more tailored and efficient power supply.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized the importance of this initiative for the future of Ekiti.

He expressed his confidence that this move will stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities, and improve the quality of life for all Ekiti residents.

With a more stable and reliable power supply, businesses in Ekiti will be able to thrive, contributing to the overall economic development of the state.

Additionally, residents will benefit from more consistent electricity, reducing the challenges posed by power outages and improving their daily lives.

Governor Oyebanji thanked everyone who believes in the state’s vision and progress, acknowledging the collective effort required to achieve such ambitious goals.

On Thursday, Nigeria was thrown into darkness as the country experienced another collapse of its national power grid.

This disruption, which occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m., caused a nationwide power outage, affecting millions across the country.

The incident was confirmed by the Nigeria National Grid on X, where they posted, “BREAKING: Another Grid Setback Experienced,” signaling the severity of the situation.

This is the second time the national grid has failed in the past week, bringing the total number of collapses this year to twelve.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the national grid, has yet to provide a detailed statement on the cause of Thursday’s collapse.

However, earlier in the week, TCN attributed a similar incident on Tuesday to a combination of line failures and generator trips, which are often caused by technical faults or mismanagement within the system.

These explanations, though, have done little to quell the growing concerns over the state of the power sector in the country.

In a related development, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had received an investigative report on the persistent grid collapses just the day before.

While the findings of this report have not been made public yet, it is expected to provide critical insights into the underlying causes of the grid’s instability.

This report comes at a time when the Nigerian government is under increasing pressure to find long-term solutions to the nation’s power crisis.

With the power grid collapsing so frequently, the impact on businesses, healthcare, education, and daily life is becoming increasingly severe.

At least 22 miners are feared dead after a mining pit collapsed at an illegal site in the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, which spans Gashaka LGA in Taraba State and Toungo LGA in Adamawa State. The miners were searching for gold in a restricted area known as Buffa.

Local sources report that all 22 miners are presumed dead. Toungo LGA Chairman Suleiman Toungo confirmed five bodies have been recovered, though he couldn’t specify the total number still buried. The area, despite frequent ranger patrols, is known for continued unregulated mining activities, often carried out at night.

Adamawa Police spokesperson SP Suleiman Nguroje noted recent fatalities from pit collapses, adding that police are working with park authorities to address the illegal mining.