‎Nigeria poised to break Guinness World Record for power grid failures‎

By Chioma Obinagwam
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‎In the final days of 2025, Nigeria faced yet another nationwide power outage, underscoring the country’s ongoing energy crisis. Confiance News gathered that a satirical tweet from 2024 by X user @GeneralSnow_ (real name General Snow) went viral once again. Originally posted on November 7, 2024, the tweet humorously applied to Guinness World Records (GWR) for Nigeria to be recognized as the country with the most national grid collapses. The post, which garnered over 32,000 likes and 12,000 reposts at the time, resurfaced in search results following the December 29, 2025, grid failure—the fourth such incident in 2025 alone, according to reports. This collapse plunged much of the country into darkness, disrupting daily life and businesses just before the New Year. The tweet’s revival has reignited conversations about Nigeria’s chronic power instability, blending humor, frustration, and calls for accountability.
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‎The Satirical GWR Application
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‎In his post, @GeneralSnow_ penned a mock formal letter to @GWR, requesting recognition for Nigeria’s “record 11 collapses” in 2024, with a cheeky prediction of more to come. He highlighted the grid’s “90% chance of collapse every two days” and even noted the formation of a government committee on grid collapses as another potential record. Signing off as a “dedicated Nigerian,” he asked for exclusive rights to the “honor,” quipping that the grid’s instability was a “sure 10 odds.” The post ended with a call to action: “Nigerians tag @GWR, let’s bring this home.”
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‎Mixed X reactions
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‎Confiance News gathered that the tweet’s satirical tone struck a chord, but it also divided opinions. Reactions poured in, reflecting Nigeria’s complex relationship with its power crisis. Some users embraced the humor: Morris Monye (@Morris_Monye) remarked, “No matter how we are laughing, This is actually valid.” Hillary Remy (@HopeRemy) pleaded, “Dear @GWR please we deserve this. It would be unfair to give it to any other country 🙏.” Precious (@otakerioghenero) added, “Nice one they deserve the award is getting too much,” while Kunobi Oqui (@IamYorgie) quipped, “The collapse should not waste at least.” Even Geo (@Geotechmill) acknowledged the hilarity amid the sadness: “As hilarious as this sounds, it is sad, depressing and unforgivable. Successive governments have done nothing but play lip service…”
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‎Others pushed back strongly, viewing it as unpatriotic or harmful. John NetworQ (@johnNetworQ) called it “violence against the state seh 🫵🏾.” Point Zero (@pointzero_008) labeled it “extremely disrespectful to Nigeria,” urging, “We have to stop this kind of stunt, please.” Soccer Bantz (@soccerbantzng) warned of consequences: “They will insult you, they think everything is cruise’ , the way they did that made Trump stopped issuing visas to Nigerians, now you are stuck here…” Okakaodumodu (@ceaserokoli) questioned, “How did you even come up with this?” And #IAccount (@Isaacnoble14) suggested, “The Minister of power and the president can receive it on behalf of Nigeria. I don’t understand why there is no political will to fix power in Nigeria.” … of PH (@Gwin_official) simply noted, “Why am I just seeing this year?”
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‎These responses capture the tweet’s dual nature: a clever jab at systemic failure that amused many while offending others who saw it as mocking the nation.
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‎Is it unpatriotic?
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‎At its core, the tweet raises a moral question: Was it unpatriotic for @GeneralSnow_ to spotlight Nigeria’s grid failures in such a public, humorous way? The answer leans toward no—it’s not unpatriotic; it’s a form of patriotic dissent. Satire has long been a tool for citizens to hold governments accountable, especially in democracies like Nigeria’s. By framing the collapses as a “world record,” the post doesn’t celebrate the problem but exposes its absurdity, urging action. Critics like @pointzero_008 argue it’s disrespectful, potentially damaging Nigeria’s image abroad. However, in a country where power outages are a daily reality, such stunts amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard. The tweet sparked global attention and domestic debate, which could pressure leaders to address the issue. True patriotism isn’t blind loyalty; it’s pushing for improvement, and this post does just that without inciting harm.
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‎Does Nigeria deserve recognition for grid collapses?
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‎Sarcastically, yes—Nigeria’s grid has collapsed repeatedly, with 11 reported in 2024 and at least four in 2025, including the latest on December 29. But in reality, no country “deserves” recognition for infrastructure failures that harm its people. These collapses aren’t achievements; they’re symptoms of deeper issues like aging infrastructure, vandalism, and insufficient investment. Awarding a record would trivialize the suffering of millions who endure blackouts, but the tweet’s irony underscores how normalized this dysfunction has become. Instead of GWR plaques, Nigeria deserves reliable power as a basic right.
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‎Economic fallout
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‎The frequent grid collapses exact a heavy toll on Nigeria’s economy, the largest in Africa. Power outages cost businesses an estimated $26-29 billion annually, according to World Bank and other reports. This translates to lost productivity, damaged equipment, and reliance on expensive generators. Small businesses, which form the economy’s backbone, see profits plummet—studies show outages reduce daily sales by up to 15%, with even steeper drops for those without backups. Broader impacts include stifled investment, job losses, and a drag on GDP—every 1% increase in outage hours correlates to a 2.86% GDP decline in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2025, the December 29 collapse alone disrupted festive activities and commerce, exacerbating inflation and supply chain issues. Long-term, unreliable power hampers industrialization, deters foreign investors, and perpetuates poverty, as households spend disproportionately on alternatives like fuel.
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‎Minister of Power’s response
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‎Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has faced mounting scrutiny over the collapses. Following the December 29 incident—linked to a partial system disturbance and earlier vandalism of a gas pipeline—he assured Nigerians of restoration within 24-48 hours, emphasizing ongoing efforts to stabilize the grid. He appealed for patience and vigilance against vandalism. However, critics point to unfulfilled promises, such as his 2024 pledge for 6,000 megawatts by year-end, which fell short amid repeated failures. Groups like the Electricity Consumer Rights Network have called for his resignation, citing persistent blackouts during holidays. Adelabu has highlighted progress, like adding 150MW via the Siemens project, but public frustration remains high, with some reactions to the tweet directly questioning the “political will” to fix the sector.
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‎Pathways to reliable power
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‎Addressing Nigeria’s grid instability requires multifaceted reforms. Key proposals include upgrading monitoring systems with SCADA/EMS (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management System), phasor measurement units (PMUs), and AI-based controls for real-time stability. Expanding transmission lines and substations would enhance capacity and reliability. Decentralization through renewable minigrids—solar, wind, and hybrid systems—offers off-grid alternatives, especially in rural areas, reducing dependence on the fragile national grid. Flexible engine power plants could provide quick-response backup during peaks or failures. Combating vandalism and fuel insecurity is crucial, alongside regulatory reforms for transparency and private investment. State-level initiatives, like modular refineries and power stations, could decentralize production further. Ultimately, political commitment to long-term funding and anti-corruption measures will be key to ending this cycle.
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‎As 2025 closes with another blackout, @GeneralSnow_’s tweet serves as a reminder: Humor can illuminate dark times, but real change demands action. Nigeria’s power crisis isn’t a record to celebrate—it’s a challenge to overcome for a brighter future.
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