Thousands of electricity consumers across Nigeria’s Northeast will experience a planned interruption in power supply next weekend as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) embarks on a major transmission infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving the reliability and efficiency of electricity delivery in the region.

The scheduled outage, which will last for approximately 32 hours, is expected to affect residents, businesses and public institutions in Bauchi, Gombe, Damaturu, Maiduguri, Yola, Jalingo and adjoining communities.

According to the company, the power disruption will commence at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, and end at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

TCN said the interruption has become necessary to enable contractors to carry out the installation of Optic Fibre and Ground Wire (OPGW) on the 330kV Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Single Circuit Transmission Line at the Bauchi 330/132/33kV Transmission Substation.

The project forms part of the company’s ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s transmission network and improve operational efficiency through enhanced communication and monitoring systems.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, explained that the maintenance exercise would temporarily prevent the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) and the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) from receiving bulk electricity from the national grid for onward distribution to customers in the affected areas.

As a result, electricity consumers in Bauchi, Gombe, Damaturu, Maiduguri, Yola, Jalingo and surrounding communities will experience a complete blackout throughout the duration of the exercise.

Industry experts who spoke with The Guardian, described optic fibre and Ground Wire installation as a critical component of modern electricity transmission systems.

Beyond serving as a protective shield against lightning strikes, OPGW integrates fibre optic communication cables into high-voltage transmission lines, enabling faster communication between substations, real-time monitoring of grid operations, quicker fault detection and improved coordination across the transmission network.

The technology also enhances system protection by allowing operators to identify and respond to faults more rapidly, reducing the likelihood of prolonged outages in the future.

For Nigeria’s power sector, where transmission infrastructure has long been identified as one of the weakest links in the electricity value chain, such upgrades are considered essential for improving grid stability and supporting future expansion.

While the planned outage is intended to deliver long term benefits, it is expected to have immediate implications for millions of electricity users across the Northeast.

Households will likely depend on generators, solar systems and other alternative energy sources to meet their electricity needs during the interruption.
Small and medium sized enterprises, many of which rely heavily on public electricity to reduce operating costs, may incur additional expenses from fuel-powered generators.

Healthcare facilities, educational institutions, telecommunications infrastructure, water supply systems and other essential services that depend on stable electricity are also expected to activate backup power systems to maintain operations.

The outage comes at a time when many communities in the Northeast continue to experience varying levels of electricity supply challenges, making every planned interruption particularly significant for residents and businesses.

Despite the inconvenience, TCN assured customers that the outage is strictly temporary and that electricity supply would be restored immediately after the installation work is completed.

The company emphasised that the maintenance exercise is necessary to strengthen the national transmission network, improve operational reliability and ensure more efficient power delivery in the long run.

TCN also appealed to customers in the affected states for patience and understanding, noting that short-term inconveniences associated with planned maintenance are often necessary to achieve long-term improvements in electricity infrastructure.

The transmission company reiterated its commitment to expanding and upgrading the country’s transmission network as part of broader efforts to improve the performance of Nigeria’s power sector and support more reliable electricity supply nationwide.