Parts of Port Harcourt, a major industrial hub in southern Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, are experiencing widespread power outages following a labour dispute at a major power station.
The grid operator, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), reported that the disruptions began on Monday, 28 September 2026, when trade union members disconnected a major high-voltage transmission corridor.
According to TCN, members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) opened the Afam–Alaoji 330kV line at the Alaoji substation during an ongoing dispute with the management of the Afam IV Gas Power Station.
Key details surrounding the industrial action and power failure include:
- Grid Infrastructure Affected: The disconnection triggered a trip of the 150MVA transformer at Afam IV, cutting bulk electricity supplies across several key transmission hubs in Port Harcourt, including the Port Harcourt Town, Elelenwo, and Port Harcourt Mains substations.
- Industrial Hub Impact: The power outage affects commercial facilities, oil and gas services, and residential communities across Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s primary economic zones.
- Resolution Efforts: TCN announced it is coordinating with the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and union leadership to resolve the labour dispute and safely reconnect the regional power grid.
The grid operator expressed regret for the disruption and assured consumers that technical crews are prepared to restore supply as soon as safety clearances are granted.
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