Power outages are always a cause for concern, especially when they happen unexpectedly or repeatedly. And this is exactly the case with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which has just announced another three-day blackout affecting parts of Lagos. But here's where it gets controversial: many residents and businesses question whether these scheduled maintenance periods are truly necessary, or if they could be managed better to minimize disruptions.
According to TCN, the planned outage is to facilitate essential maintenance work on the Ala/Alagbon 330 kV transmission line. This work is scheduled from November 26th through November 29th, 2025, spanning three days. The TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, shared this information in a notice released on Friday, detailing the impact and reasons behind the outage.
The maintenance activities will primarily affect the electricity supply managed by Eko Electricity Distribution Company in Lagos South and parts of Ogun State. Specifically, areas such as Ojo, Festac, Ijora, Mushin (including Orile), Apapa, Lekki (including Ibeju), Lagos Island (including Ajele), and Agbara will experience disruptions.
So, what exactly is happening? TCN explained that during this maintenance period, they will be installing wave traps on the 330 kV line bays at the Aja and Alagbon Transmission Substations in Lagos State. These wave traps are crucial components that help prevent power surges and improve the stability of the transmission network. To carry out this work, the energy supply from the Alagbon Substation will temporarily be rerouted to the Ijora 132 kV line. Meanwhile, supplies to the Akoka and Oworo Transmission Substations will be diverted to the Ikeja West 132 kV line.
While there will be a brief interruption in load on these affected lines, TCN assures that power supply to the general areas will continue, maintaining a relatively normal flow during the maintenance window. However, residents should prepare for some inconvenience during this period.
In their statement, TCN expressed regret for any trouble caused to consumers within the Eko Disco franchise. They emphasized that this maintenance is part of ongoing efforts to upgrade and strengthen Lagos’s transmission infrastructure, aiming for a more reliable and efficient power supply in the long run.
It's worth noting that Lagos has faced similar disruptions earlier this year—specifically in July and October—when parts of the city were plunged into darkness due to TCN's maintenance activities. These recurring outages spark a debate: Are these necessary sacrifices for infrastructure improvement, or could there be better ways to balance maintenance with consistent power availability?
What do you think? Should continuous upgrades justify these periodic blackouts, or is there a way to improve the process to reduce the impact on daily life? Your thoughts and opinions are welcome—this is a conversation worth having.
