Maintenance: Electricity Restoration Promised Daily at 5 PM, Discos Reassure Lagosians

 The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and electricity distribution companies (Discos), including Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and Ikeja Electric, have assured Lagos residents that power will be restored daily by 5:00 PM during a scheduled 25-day maintenance period on the Omotosho–Ikeja West 330kV power line, commencing July 28, 2025, and concluding on August 21, 2025. 

The maintenance, announced on July 27, involves critical upgrades to enhance the transmission network’s reliability, with planned outages predominantly occurring between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM each day. TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, emphasized that the work addresses aging infrastructure, following a 2024 report identifying a 15% capacity loss on this line due to wear.

The Discos have outlined contingency measures, including the use of backup generators and load redistribution to minimize disruption, though some areas may experience intermittent blackouts beyond the stated hours due to grid strain. Lagos, with a population exceeding 15 million, relies heavily on this line for 40% of its power supply, making the maintenance a significant challenge. 

Local business owners, particularly in markets like Alaba and Computer Village, have expressed concerns over potential revenue losses, estimating a 20% drop during the period, while residents question the adequacy of prior notice, given only a week’s public alert. The narrative of infrastructure improvement is promising, but its success hinges on effective execution and communication, with historical maintenance delays—such as the 2023 Lagos outage extending beyond schedule, fueling skepticism about the 5:00 PM restoration pledge.