The northern governors and traditional rulers convened a meeting to address the ongoing blackout impacting 17 northern Nigerian states, affecting millions. With power out for two weeks in areas like Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe due to transmission line vandalism, economic activities have been significantly disrupted. The governors and leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto and other regional monarchs, called for urgent federal intervention, increased energy diversification, and additional transmission infrastructure.
President Bola Tinubu responded by ordering the military to protect engineers as repairs begin and announced plans for a $1-2 billion solar initiative to provide 50 MW per northern state. Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu highlighted plans to modernize aging infrastructure, install a “super grid” to bolster resilience, and expedite the Shiroro-Kaduna line repair.
