NEWS
National Grid Collapse: Anambra, Enugu Govts seek Alternative Power Supply
Some state governments in the South East have embarked on ways to get alternative source of electricity supply following the incessant collapse of the national grid.
The national grid has collapsed no fewer than seven times between January and October, 2024, a situation worrisome to electricity consumers and the nation at large.
Survey on the development showed that customers have continued to groan over constant grid collapse and epileptic power supply in spite of paying higher for electricity services.
Most of the customers within Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, who have been “systematically” moved to Band-A without their consent, are pushing for the reverse to the former band as they complain “not getting value for money”.
An Enugu-based small scale industrialist, Mr Chimezie Nwafor, said that within the past one month it had been difficult to run his factory at maximum capacity as most of his machinery required voltage of power directly from electricity.
Nwafor noted that he welcomed the 24-hour uninterrupted power, simply called Band-A, but “it is now a regret that the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and the Federal Government regulatory body failed to live up to what they assured”.
“The Federal and state governments should put efforts to make constant electricity power supply possible. It is doable and other countries of the world even within African countries have attained this height.
“Every industrialist wants value for money and we cannot get that if we pay so high a tariff and get disappointed,” he said.
A resident within Uwani area, Mr Chuks Ani, whose area have been placed on Band-A recently, noted that government always implement noble policies in the wrong way.
“As discussed in various electricity stakeholders and Town Hall meetings for years now, a 24-hour uninterrupted power supply should be provided for industrial and commercial concerns or areas and not the other way round to residential areas.
“As it stand, one wonders whether government genuinely want to check poverty as well as solve energy crisis in homes and rural communities with clear cut policies beneficial to all.
“The current policy and target of putting financially struggling families and households to Band-A and its attendant high tariff is suffocating,” Ani said.
On its part, Dr. Ernest Mupwaya, Acting Managing Director of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), said the company had deployed advanced ICT systems to constantly monitor its network; detecting upcoming and instant electrical faults within its franchise area.
“Over some years now, we have strengthened all our lines and tightened all loose ends as well as clear obstructions to our lines within our franchise area leading to stable and better supply,” he said.
He noted that with clear knowledge of the industry moving towards 24-hour uninterrupted supply, the company had successfully converted aluminum transformers to copper-wound transformers using reverse engineering.
The acting managing director said that reverse engineering on transformers had stabilized supply and allowed transformers to stand prolonged workload each day.
“This groundbreaking innovation has the potential for significant cost savings (for both the company and its customers),” he added.
Having issued license to Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited, the Chairman, Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), Mr Chijioke Okonkwo, said that with the Enugu State Electrification Law 2023 and electrification master-plan, the state would be a hub for electricity generation and distribution.
It could be recalled that recently, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, finally handed over regulatory power to the EERC.
With the development, Mainpower, a subsidiary of the EEDC, took over the electricity distribution operations in Enugu State after it was presented with an interim operating license to distribute electricity in Enugu State by EERC.
Okonkwo said that the issues of grid failure and epileptic supply would be a thing of the past as soon as the commission had developed a robust commercially viable, sustainable and reliable electricity market that served all the residents and industrial/commercial clusters.
He said that market feasibility had shown that Enugu State had the market viability not only to generate its electricity consumption, but the capacity to sell to other states and entities.
“What made the state lucrative for investment in the energy market is the high percentage of the underserved and unserved population that are in need of energy to run their businesses,” he said.
According to him, with investors playing in the electricity market in the state, the energy needs of the population would be solved while return-on-investment would be guaranteed since there exists willing buyers in the under-explored market.
In Anambra, Mr Julius Chukwuemeka, Commissioner for Power and Water Resources in Anambra, said that the state government was putting in place measures that would reduce its dependence on power from the national grid.
Chukwuemeka, who described the national grid source as “no longer sustainable” given its persistent failures, said legislative frameworks were on for a law to set up the Anambra Power Market and Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commision.
He said both laws would help determine the energy demand of the state as well as prepare ground for electricity generation in the state.
The commissioner said the government was encouraging energy mix with emphasis on solar and renewable energy options.
“These options may be expensive at the point of installation but they have long term cost and reliability benefits.
“These energy mix options will take households and small businesses away from the national grid; and leave Industries and heavy equipment users on the hydro and therma powered national grid supply,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents of the state have expressed frustration over the incessant collapse of the national grid.
Mr Jude Anyene, an artisan, said the loss of power was putting additional cost on their businesses.
Anyene said there was no justification for the high and differential tariff charged by electricity distribution companies because every customer was in darkness.
“The solution to our electricity challenges is not charging exorbitant tariff or putting people in different bands just to make them pay more.
“We have power generation problem, there is not enough to go round and the infrastructure is decaying such that so much is lost in transmission,” he said.
Expressing the same frustration, Mr Caleb Agbo, an electricity stakeholder in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, stressed the need for constant discourse among electricity stakeholders to address the frequent collapse in the system.
Agbo called on major stakeholders and government to show more commitment in energy security in the country.
Mr Collins Odumba, another stakeholder, urged the Federal Government to overhual and review entire energy sector of the country and get investors that have the capacity to deliver and ensure constant power supply.
Mr Emmanuel Ogodo, an electricoty consumer living in Abakaliki, encouraged government to make prepaid meters available at a reduced cost.
“The cost of acquiring a three phase prepaid meter is between N150,000 and N200,000; while a single phase cost between N100,000 and N150,000,” Ogodo claimed.
Mr Kingsley Oko, a business owner, noted that activities of vandals and corrupt officials also contributed to the breakdown and constant collapse of the national grid.
“The power outage has continued to disrupt my business venture. If this trend continues, more businesses will crash,” Oko said. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has intensified regional health surveillance following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola virus disease in Abuja, Nigeria, on October 20, 2026.
In a statement, WAHO said it was closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), national health authorities and regional epidemiological surveillance mechanisms to prevent the potential spread of the disease across borders.
According to information provided by Nigerian health authorities, the patient is a woman who recently arrived from Uganda.
She reportedly developed symptoms on October 7 and received treatment at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11 before her diagnosis was confirmed through laboratory testing on October 20.As part of efforts to strengthen regional preparedness and response, WAHO said it remained fully mobilised to support member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in enhancing disease surveillance and preventing cross-border transmission.
The organisation disclosed that it maintained regular contact with the NCDC and held a briefing on October 21 with directors of National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) across ECOWAS member states to discuss the situation and reinforce regional coordination.
WAHO stressed that early detection, prompt reporting of suspected cases, effective epidemiological surveillance and coordination among health services were essential to preventing and controlling the spread of epidemic-prone diseases.
It urged the public to observe preventive measures, including frequent handwashing with soap and clean water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
The organisation also advised people to avoid direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of sick or deceased persons, as well as their clothing, bedding and personal belongings.
It cautioned against handling the bodies of people who died from suspected causes, emphasising that safe and dignified burials should be conducted by trained teams.
On animal-related risks, WAHO advised the public to avoid handling or consuming bushmeat, refrain from touching sick or dead animals, including bats and primates, and ensure that all meat is thoroughly cooked before consumption.
The organisation further urged anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola, including sudden fever, severe fatigue, body aches, vomiting, diarrhoea or bleeding, to seek immediate assistance from a health facility.
It also recommended avoiding non-essential travel to affected areas and adhering strictly to official health guidance whenever travel is unavoidable.
WAHO called on the public to rely on information from official sources and refrain from spreading rumours or unverified reports that could undermine public health response efforts.
Reaffirming its commitment to regional health security, the organisation said it would continue working with the health ministries of ECOWAS member states, as well as technical and financial partners, to strengthen preparedness and protect populations across West Africa.
Through the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC), a specialised WAHO agency based in Abuja, the organisation said it would continue monitoring developments and communicate relevant information in coordination with the appropriate health authorities.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened possible nationwide industrial action following the failure of talks with the Federal Government over workers’ welfare, petrol prices and other outstanding labour demands.
The warning came after a meeting between the government and organised labour at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, ended without an agreement.
The congress has given the Federal Government until Tuesday, October 27, to make meaningful progress on the issues, warning that its relevant organs would decide the next line of action if the next meeting fails to produce concrete commitments.
The NLC has also directed its affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to begin mobilising members for possible nationwide action.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the NLC Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, expressed disappointment over what he described as the government delegation’s lack of preparedness for the negotiations.
According to the congress, organised labour presented its demands in good faith but left the meeting without any concrete commitments from the government.
The demands include a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures and resolution of the terms of settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The congress also called for the resolution of issues raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) over peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
The NLC said the government delegation lacked the necessary authority to engage meaningfully on the issues presented by labour representatives.
“The meeting between the Federal Government and organised labour, convened at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja on 22nd October 2026, has ended without resolution,” the statement said.
It added that the Minister of Labour requested that the meeting be adjourned until October 27 to allow the government to prepare adequately for further discussions.
The preparations, according to the statement, would include bringing relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to the negotiating table.
The congress said it remained open to dialogue but would not accept continued delays in addressing workers’ concerns.
“We will report back to our organs, and if no meaningful progress is made on Tuesday, the relevant organs of the NLC will decide the next line of action,” it said.
The labour body urged workers and members of the public to remain calm while the negotiations continue, even as it directed its affiliates and allies to prepare for possible industrial action.
“However, we urge all affiliates of NLC and TUC; all state councils and our civil society allies to be alert and start mobilising for a possible action across the nation while we hope that the tenets of our demands are met by the government,” the statement added.
The October 27 meeting is expected to provide another opportunity for both sides to address the outstanding issues and prevent a possible escalation of the dispute.
However, the NLC’s decision to begin mobilisation suggests that tensions could rise if the next round of talks fails to produce meaningful progress.
Alh. (Dr) Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), has been named as the Top10 Magazine’s Man of the Year 2026. He emerged from among many other distinguished personalities in a multi-stage rigorous selection and screening process.
He succeeds Alh. Nasiru Haladu Danu, OFR, Chairman of Casiva Ltd, who was the magazine’s Man of the Year for 2025. He joins a club of distinguished Nigerians who have won the crown since the inception of the award over 10 years ago, with Dr. Herbert Wigwe, the late Group Managing Director of Access Bank, as the pioneer winner of the award in 2016. Also on the magazine’s roll of honour are Umar Abdullahi, Chairman, Cosgrove Group (2020); Chief Samuel Onyishi, Chairman of Peace Mass Transit (PMT) and Founder of Maduka University (2022); Muhammad Nami, former Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS (2023), Senator George Akume (2024), among others.In a letter conveying Alhaji Kwairanga’s selection as the Man of the Year 2026, the Board of Editors of the Magazine said it was in recognition of his towering leadership as custodian of Nigeria’s capital market, his role in driving national economic development, his championship of corporate governance, transparency, integrity and influence that defined Nigeria’s economic narrative in 2026. These, the givers of the award said, clearly stand him out as a man of excellence worthy of celebration, “hence the decision of our management to accord you this special recognition as the Top10 Magazine’s Man of the Year 2026,” the letter said.
In a year marked by economic reforms, market volatility and renewed investor search for trust and transparency, Dr. Kwairanga stood tall as a symbol of stability, integrity and visionary leadership. Under his watch, the Nigerian Exchange has emerged as one of Africa’s best performing markets, restoring investor confidence, attracting foreign inflows and providing capital for enterprise growth that creates jobs for millions of Nigerians.
As overseer of NGX Regulation, he has championed board accountability, shareholder protection, ESG compliance and global best practices, elevating Nigerian corporate governance to world standard. His influence goes beyond the trading floor of Marina. He is a trusted counsel to regulators, a respected voice in the Presidency’s economic circle, a bridge between the private sector and government, and a mentor to a generation of investors and entrepreneurs who see in him the embodiment of ethical capitalism.
A man of unblemished integrity, quiet philanthropy and profound intellect, Dr. Kwairanga represents the best of Northern and Nigerian leadership – humble yet powerful, principled yet pragmatic, traditional yet globally minded. In a nation in search of role models who prove that one can be successful without cutting corners, powerful without being oppressive and wealthy without losing humanity, Alhaji Kwairanga stands as a beacon.
“For his towering leadership as custodian of Nigeria’s capital market, his role in driving national economic development, his championship of corporate governance and transparency, his integrity and influence that defined Nigeria’s economic narrative in 2026, the Board and Management of the Top10 Magazine unanimously select Alh. (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga as Man of the year 2026”, stated publishers of the Top10 Magazine.
The Top10 Magazine is a monthly publication established over ten years ago as a platform to celebrate excellence and people of excellence from all human endeavours.
The Top10 Man of the Year Award was also instituted the same year as an annual award by the magazine as the highest honour reserved annually for one distinguished Nigerian whose leadership, integrity, influence and national impact have defined the year.
This year’s recipient, Alhaji Umaru, a man of untainted character and impeccable reputation, is renowned for his unwavering commitment to success. Dr. Kwairanga has 25 years’ cognate experience in the banking, pensions, investment, manufacturing and commercial sectors. He has served previously as a Council member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and is currently a Council member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria; and an active director on the boards of many quoted/listed and unquoted companies including Ashaka Cement Plc where he served for over ten years, first as a director and later as chairman of the Board. He is currently the GMD/CEO of Finmal Finance Services Limited.
He is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Fellow of Certified Pension Institute Nigeria (2005) and Fellow of Institute of Directors of Nigeria. He is Chairman – Commerce, Trade and Investment subcommittee of Gombe State transition committee.
Dr. Kwairanga has a B.Sc (Hons) Business Administration (1991) and MBA (1995) both from University of Maiduguri and M.Sc. Finance & Governance from Liverpool John Moores University (2007).
Mr. Tony Iji, Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of the Top10 Magazine, said the award will be presented to Alhaji Umaru at the Top10 Magazine’s Annual Excellence Awards night slated for November 22, 2026 which will be graced by crème de la crème of the society.
To mark this high-profile event, the magazine is putting together a special award edition to celebrate him and other awardees. The edition which will comprehensively chronicle his achievements, leadership journey, and contribution to Nigeria’s capital market and the economy in general.
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