**Power Outage Looms as Gas Supply Dries Up** Nigeria is bracing for a possible increase in power outages as the country's thermal power plants are facing a severe gas shortage. According to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), these power plants require a massive amount of gas, about 1.6 billion standard cubic feet per day, to operate efficiently. However, the actual supply as of February 23, 2026, was a paltry 692 million standard cubic feet per day, which is less than 43 per cent of the required volume. This development comes at a time when many states in the country are experiencing frequent power blackouts, crippling businesses and daily activities. The Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Dr. Joy Ogaji, has warned that the power sector is on the brink of a major crisis due to the mounting debt across the value chain. The debt, which now stands at N6.8 trillion, is owed by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, which is responsible for buying electricity from generation companies and selling it to distribution companies. However, the payment system has been faulty since the sector was privatized in 2013. As a result, the government owes gas-fired power plants, and subsequently, gas suppliers, a whopping N3.3 trillion. The gas suppliers have now threatened to stop supplying gas to the power plants unless their debts are paid. This move has significant implications for the power sector, and Nigerians can expect more frequent power outages if a solution is not found soon. The power sector's woes are a reflection of the country's broader economic challenges, which need to be addressed to prevent a major crisis.