A partial system collapse disrupted electricity supply in South-East Nigeria on February 19, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 11:54 a.m. and affected Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Imo states. Consumers experienced total darkness as power generation halted in the region.
EEDC Confirms Outage Details
Emeka Ezeh, spokesperson for the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, issued a statement on the collapse. Ezeh explained: “The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EEDC) wishes to inform its customers across the South-East that it experienced a partial system collapse today, at about 11:54 a.m.”
He added that the event impacted all subsidiary providers, including MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra, and EastLand. Additionally, Ezeh noted the cause remained unknown. He stated: “The cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained, but we are on standby awaiting restoration of supply.”
Restoration Efforts Underway
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company communicated with relevant agencies to resolve the issue. Officials awaited full restoration but provided no timeline.
Meanwhile the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company reported a similar supply loss earlier that day. Ezeh apologized to affected customers. He said: “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our esteemed customers.”
Impacts on Businesses and Residents
The blackout forced businesses in Aba and Onitsha to rely on generators. Owners faced higher costs from fuel amid recurring grid issues. Residents endured disruptions in daily activities as power remained off.
Furthermore, the event followed a nationwide electricity drop days earlier due to maintenance at Seplat Energy and repairs on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company gas pipeline.
Historical Context of Grid Instability
Nigeria recorded multiple grid collapses in recent years. The national grid failed twice in January 2026 alone. Stakeholders expressed concerns over persistent instability in the power sector.