Lagos State Braces for 25 Days of Daytime Blackouts as EKEDC Begins Major Power Line Maintenance

 

Residents in parts of Lagos State will experience a significant disruption to their electricity supply as the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has declared a planned power outage spanning 25 consecutive days. The daily blackouts are set to begin on Monday, July 28, and will continue through Thursday, August 21, 2025. Electricity supply will be suspended from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day throughout the duration of this maintenance window.

This development was officially disclosed by Eko DisCo through a public notice released on Friday via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle. The distribution company explained that the disruption is necessary to enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) carry out critical maintenance operations on the Omotosho-Ikeja West 330-kilovolt transmission line.

Maintenance works of this nature are rarely brief, and this one is no exception. According to EKEDC, the planned outage is part of a broader effort by TCN to improve grid stability and enhance the long-term reliability of electricity delivery to Lagos and adjoining areas within the network. Unfortunately for customers, the immediate outcome will be daily power cuts lasting nine hours at a stretch.

This announcement has sparked anxiety among businesses, homeowners, and other electricity users across the region, many of whom rely heavily on a consistent power supply for their daily activities. Small business operators, in particular, are already expressing concern about the impact this extended outage will have on their operations and profit margins.

Speaking through the official statement, EKEDC acknowledged the inconvenience the blackout may cause. However, the company stressed that the maintenance project is essential for future improvements in service delivery. “This planned outage is necessary to allow TCN to conduct important upgrades and repairs on the Omotosho-Ikeja West 330 kV line. While this will result in daily interruptions, it is aimed at ultimately enhancing the quality and consistency of electricity supply,” the company emphasized.

Customers residing in the affected service areas have been advised to prepare for intermittent supply and load shedding during the 25-day period. Though EKEDC has not released a full list of the specific areas to be affected, previous outages linked to the Omotosho-Ikeja line have typically impacted locations across the Lagos mainland and parts of the island under Eko DisCo's jurisdiction.

Beyond residential discomfort, the implications of this outage are far-reaching. Industries and commercial centers powered by the EKEDC network may experience production slowdowns unless they have independent power solutions such as generators or solar systems. For those without reliable alternatives, this disruption may translate into higher operational costs or outright suspension of business during affected hours.

Educational institutions, medical facilities, and public service providers will also need to adjust their operations accordingly. Some schools and clinics have already begun issuing internal memos to prepare their staff and stakeholders for the anticipated blackout.

Power sector analysts have weighed in on the situation, noting that while maintenance and infrastructure upgrades are long overdue, the lack of alternative provisions to cushion the impact reflects ongoing systemic challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector. Grid reliability and transparency in service planning remain major hurdles for both distribution and transmission companies.

Meanwhile, customers have taken to social media to vent their frustration over the timing and duration of the planned outage. Many questioned why such critical work couldn’t be done at night or in phases to minimize the impact on homes and businesses. Others called for better communication from both EKEDC and TCN, requesting that real-time updates be provided as the work progresses.

Despite the backlash, EKEDC maintains that the decision to carry out the maintenance during daytime hours was based on technical and safety considerations. The company also promised to collaborate closely with TCN to ensure that the work is completed within the stipulated timeframe and without avoidable delays.

As the affected areas brace for this extended period of power interruptions, households and businesses are making last-minute arrangements. From purchasing fuel for generators to setting up work schedules that align with nighttime hours, Lagosians are preparing to cope as best they can.

Whether this intervention will ultimately lead to more stable power supply remains to be seen. For now, the focus is on endurance, adaptation, and a hope that by the end of August, the promised upgrades will bring meaningful improvements to electricity delivery in one of Nigeria’s busiest regions.