By Our Correspondent

National News – The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has declared force majeure following a destructive rainstorm that collapsed a major transmission tower on the Ikeja West–Osogbo 330kV line.

The incident occurred on Thursday, April 16, 2026, in South-West Nigeria, disrupting one of the country’s critical electricity corridors.

The company said the declaration became necessary due to circumstances beyond its control, affecting its ability to fully transmit power across the affected route.

According to TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah, the transmission line tripped during the storm after a fault was detected about 14.9 kilometres from the Ikeja West substation in Lagos.

A subsequent inspection revealed that Tower 515 collapsed midsection due to the severe weather, cutting off bulk electricity supply along the route.

The Ikeja West–Osogbo line plays a vital role in evacuating power from generation companies to distribution networks, especially in Lagos and surrounding states.

The disruption has raised concerns about grid stability and the resilience of Nigeria’s ageing power infrastructure amid increasing climate-related challenges.

TCN explained that emergency response efforts have already begun, with engineers mobilised to dismantle the damaged structure and begin reconstruction.

The company also assured electricity consumers that alternative transmission lines are still operational to reduce the impact of outages while repairs continue.

This latest disruption underscores ongoing challenges within Nigeria’s power sector, including infrastructure limitations and vulnerability to environmental factors.

Stakeholders have repeatedly called for urgent investments in modern, weather-resistant transmission systems to ensure reliable electricity supply nationwide.