By Chidera Orji

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has rejected the recent publication by Ikeja Electric (IKEDC) in which the distribution company allged that the several Band A feeder outages recorded on 3rd and 4th November 2026 were attributed to “grid instability” , which was assigned to TCN as the responsible party.

The TCN in a strong worded statement signed by the Management of the agency clearly noted that the attribution by Ikeja Electric was inaccurate and misleading, for the following reasons:

1. Root-cause determination is not the mandate of a DisCo.
   By virtue of Section 67 of the Electricity Act 2023, the determination of the root cause of disturbances, shortfalls and interruptions on the national grid falls exclusively within the defined functions of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO). IKEDC, like every other market participant, has no authority to make such determinations, and NISO has made none attributing the outages in IKEDC’s notice to TCN.
2. NISO has already stated the true position.
   In its public clarification of 5 November 2026, NISO attributed the current decline in power generation to constraints in gas supply to thermal power stations and reduced output from hydroelectric stations due to lower reservoir inflows. NISO explained that this reduced available generation, which in turn reduced the energy allocated to DisCos and led to fewer hours of supply and increased load shedding across distribution networks. The impact on each DisCo varies with available generation and its allocation.
3. The facts are inconsistent with the “grid instability” claim.
   The shortfall in supply to IKEDC’s customers is a consequence of reduced generation and the resulting allocation, not of any failure of TCN’s transmission network. TCN can only transmit the energy made available to it and cannot transmit energy that is not generated.
4. The records for all feeders supplying IKEDC confirm the national picture NISO described. Of the interruptions recorded on 1 and 2 November, 68% were frequency-control load-shedding arising from low generation. A further 26% were due to IKEDC’s non-compliance with load allocation by the National Control Centre (NCC) of NISO, or to faults and works on IKEDC’s own network. The remaining 6% were TCN planned maintenance, switching or a line limitation. None of the recorded interruptions was a TCN equipment fault or trip.

TAN said that the ” feeders named in IKEDC’s notice do not support the claim either. Of the 46 interruptions recorded on the 33kV feeders named in the notice, 29 were frequency-control load-shedding arising from low generation, and 14 were recorded against IKEDC: 9 for non-compliance with load allocation and 5 for faults or trips on its own network. The other 3 were scheduled TCN maintenance on the Ogba–Alimosho line on 1 November. On 2 November, for example, the Rack Centre feeder was interrupted by a cable fault on IKEDC’s network, which its own crew repaired. IKEDC’s notice itself assigns several of these feeders, including MTN, Iju Water Works and Rack Centre, to IKEDC (“IE”) for 33kV faults.

” IKEDC’s position is therefore out of step with the true state of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. Attributing shortfalls caused by generation constraints to TCN misinforms customers, undermines public confidence and obscures the real challenges that all stakeholders must work together to resolve.
TCN therefore urges IKEDC and all other DisCos to desist forthwith from making unfounded claims about the causes of supply shortfalls to their customers. DisCos should communicate based on verified information from NISO, the body responsible for the operation of the grid.

TCN also urged electricity customers to refer to NISO’s official platforms for accurate information on the state of the NESI, while also sympathising with customers affected by the reduced hours of supply.

The agency said that It remains committed to transmitting all available energy safely, reliably and efficiently within the prevailing operational constraints, and to working with NISO, generation companies and DisCos to improve the situation.

By Usuak Imoh

President Bola Tinubu has approved the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom State.

Tinubu announced the approval on Friday while responding to a request by Governor Umo Eno during a reception and rally held in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The President, who was in the state to inaugurate projects executed by the Eno administration, said the development must promote inclusive growth, create economic value and bring progress to the people.

“Now, development must be even inclusive and reasonable, must bring progress and create economic value. I heard from my friend, my governor, my pastor, on behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, request for Ibom’s deep-sea port,” Tinubu said.

After repeating the request, the President asked the crowd, “Will you vote?”

He subsequently declared, “Okay, It’s approved.”

The approval followed a pledge by Eno that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government delivered the seaport.

“Give us Ibom Deep Seaport, we will deliver two million votes. This deep seaport is capable of unlocking the economy of the state, the South-South region and Nigeria at large,” the governor said.

Eno described the seaport as the most important economic demand of the people of Akwa Ibom, saying it would transform the state’s maritime, industrial and employment landscape.

He said the people of the state had remained loyal to Tinubu since 2023 and were asking him to fulfil his promise to build the facility.

Tinubu had, during his 2023 presidential campaign rally at the same stadium, promised to build the deep seaport, citing the Lekki Deep Seaport, developed during his tenure as Lagos State governor, as an example of what he hoped to achieve in Akwa Ibom.

Eno said the project, conceived during the administration of former Governor Victor Attah as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City, had remained unrealised for decades despite featuring in successive presidential campaigns.

“This seaport would serve as a major transhipment hub. It will create thousands of jobs for our people. It will open Akwa Ibom to international trade and investment,” he said.

The governor also said Akwa Ibom had aligned with the Federal Government by joining the All Progressives Congress to attract greater federal presence and development.

He assured Tinubu that the state would mobilise support for his re-election in 2027, saying the seaport would be a major dividend of his administration.

By Ahmad Dankogi

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says 66 personnel drawn from its formations nationwide have been sanctioned for various offences.

According to NAN, Ahmed Audi, NSCDC commandant general, during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Friday, said the punishment ranged from dismissal, compulsory retirement, demotion and warnings.

He said the disciplinary actions followed the approval of the Civil Defence, Correction, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) after investigations into allegations of misconduct against the affected personnel.

The CG detailed that the sanctions were imposed based on the nature and severity of the offences committed.

He said some of the offences were involvement in arms dealing, adding that officers found culpable of particularly serious offences would face prosecution.

“Some of them are to face prosecution while some had been dismissed after facing prosecution,” he said.

“They will be prosecuted because of the veracity of the offence, level and kind of offence they have committed.”

The NSCDC boss said all the affected personnel had undergone the established disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials and relevant staff disciplinary committees, before the board approved the sanctions.

According to Audi, the affected officers were drawn from state, zonal and area commands, the national headquarters, and other formations across the country.

He noted that the NSCDC will not tolerate indiscipline or actions capable of undermining its professional standards.

The CG further said the exercise was intended to reinforce discipline within the corps and serve as a deterrent to other personnel.

“The culture of any military or paramilitary organisation stands or is built on discipline,” he said.

He, however, added that 17,000 NSCDC personnel had recently been promoted, describing the exercise as a morale booster for deserving officers and men.

Audi explained that approximately 22,000 personnel sat for the promotion examination, while about 17,000 qualified for promotion based on their performance and available vacancies approved by the federal government.

According to him, the promotion results were ready and would be displayed on the corps’ notice boards to enable personnel verify their outcomes.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary support and enabling environment for the promotion exercise and other institutional reforms within the corps. NAN