The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) have issued conflicting explanations over the recent reduction in electricity supply to Abuja and parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The dispute followed an AEDC public announcement dated August 26, 2026, in which the company said transmission constraints were affecting electricity supply to Abuja and parts of its franchise area.
AEDC said the tripping of transmission lines supplying Abuja from the Shiroro Transmission Station since Tuesday, August 25, had “significantly reduced” the power available to it.
According to the company, its allocation dropped from approximately 641 megawatts to 314 megawatts, substantially affecting its ability to supply electricity to customers.
“As a result, load shedding is currently being implemented across several feeders, including Band A feeders, due to the reduced power available from the transmission network,” AEDC said.
The company, however, also acknowledged that the National Control Centre had reported low generation levels, saying this had further compounded the supply challenge.
But TCN has rejected AEDC’s explanation, describing the claim that its transmission lines tripped as “inaccurate and misleading.”
TCN said the reduction in AEDC’s allocation was caused by low generation on the national grid, insisting that it was not the result of any transmission line tripping.
“Contrary to the information contained in AEDC’s publication, all 330kV transmission lines within Abuja Region are currently in circuit,” TCN said.
The transmission company added that “no such tripping of the 330kV transmission lines supplying Abuja axis, as alleged by AEDC, has occurred.”
TCN consequently said the load shedding being experienced across AEDC feeders could not be attributed to any fault on its 330kV transmission network within the Abuja region.
The conflicting explanations have generated mixed reactions from electricity consumers on social media, with some questioning how the public can determine which account is accurate.
One Facebook user, Harun Otayokhe, said the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company had also given a similar explanation for reduced electricity supply within its franchise area.
“How do we know who is telling us the truth between the TCN and these DISCOs?” he asked.
Another user, Josua Laureli, questioned the lack of a clear explanation about the wider load shedding, saying, “Nothing has even been mentioned on what led to load shedding across the grid.”
A third commenter, Ever Peace, expressed frustration over the technical explanations, asking, “Light reduce abi e no reduce? Una go just dey speak English.”
The controversy has left consumers seeking clearer information on the actual cause of the power reduction, particularly whether the major factor was transmission constraints, low generation, or a combination of both.
TCN has meanwhile reiterated its commitment to transmitting available bulk electricity across the country and maintaining the “stability, reliability, and integrity” of the national transmission grid.
You lied – TCN tells AEDC as organizations clash over conflicting claim on Abuja power shortage