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Lagos to Face Weekday Blackouts: Affected Areas and How to Stay Prepared

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 30th, 2025.

Lagos to Face Weekday Blackouts: Affected Areas and How to Stay Prepared

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From July 28 to August 21, 2025, several parts of Lagos will experience planned power outages each weekday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. due to maintenance work on a key transmission line.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), with approval from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigeria Independent System Operator (NISO), will be upgrading the Omotosho–Ikeja West 330kV transmission line. The upgrade involves the installation of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) fibre cables, which will temporarily affect electricity supply across major parts of the city.

Areas to Be Affected by the Power Outage

The maintenance will impact electricity supply in the following neighborhoods:

Ojodu

Oke-Ira

Agidingbi

Omole Phase 1 & 2

Iju

Berger

Magodo Phase 1 & 2

Ketu

Oregun

Ojota

Parts of Agege

Ifako

Abule Egba

Ojo

Ikeja

Oshodi

Ayobo

Alimosho

Ogba

Alausa

Ejigbo

Both Ikeja Electric and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) have advised customers in these areas to expect inconsistent supply, even outside blackout hours, due to ripple effects from the transmission line work.

Why the Upgrade Matters

The Omotosho–Ikeja West line is a critical transmission corridor, transporting high-voltage electricity from the Omotosho Power Plant in Ondo State to Lagos’ major distribution hub in Ikeja. The ongoing installation of fibre-optic cable is expected to:

Strengthen grid stability

Reduce system failures

Improve communication within the power network

Though inconvenient now, the upgrade is meant to improve long-term power reliability across Lagos.

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How to Manage the Daily 9-Hour Blackouts

To minimize the disruption, here are some tips for getting through the outages:

1. Keep Your Food Fresh

Pre-freeze water in ice trays or freezer bags to help keep refrigerators and freezers cold during the power cuts. This can prevent food from spoiling quickly.

2. Use a Generator (If Available)

A portable generator can keep essential appliances like fans and lights running. Fuel expenses may range around ₦10,000 per day, depending on usage.

3. Invest in Backup Power

If possible, consider purchasing an inverter system or solar panel setup.

Basic inverter systems start from ₦50,000

Solar-powered solutions can range from ₦1 million to ₦5 million depending on capacity

4. Charge Devices Ahead of Time

Charge phones, laptops, and power banks before 8:00 a.m. daily. Alternatively, use public charging stations found in markets or malls—just be cautious and keep your belongings secure.

5. Adjust Your Daily Routine

Plan to complete essential tasks—like cooking, washing, or meetings—either early in the morning or later in the evening when electricity is more likely to be available.

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Though the temporary outages may disrupt daily life, they’re a necessary step toward a more stable and modernized power supply system in Lagos. Planning ah

ead can help reduce stress and keep your household functioning smoothly during the maintenance period.