Seven Northern States Face Scheduled Power Outages for Grid Modernization Project
Electricity consumers across seven northern Nigerian states are set to experience scheduled power outages from April 9 to May 22, 2026, as authorities undertake a major grid modernization initiative. The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has announced planned disruptions affecting Plateau, Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, and Yobe states.
Scheduled Outage Details and Duration
According to a public notice issued by NISO, the power cuts will occur weekly from Thursday to Sunday between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the specified period. The outages are necessary to facilitate the installation of Optical Ground Wire fibre optic infrastructure along the Jos-Gombe 330kV transmission corridor.
Engr. Abdu Mohammed Bello (FNSE), the Managing Director and CEO of NISO appointed by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025, emphasized that this temporary inconvenience forms part of broader efforts to transform Nigeria's national grid into a modern, intelligent system.
Technical Upgrades and Expected Benefits
The grid modernization project aims to enhance operational capabilities through improved Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Energy Management Systems (EMS), and telecommunications infrastructure. Upon completion, the upgrades are expected to deliver multiple benefits including:
- Improved quality and reliability of electricity supply
- Enhanced real-time monitoring and fault detection capabilities
- Better load balancing and grid coordination
- Faster restoration of power following disruptions
- Strengthened telecommunications backbone for power system operations
Mitigation Measures and Consumer Impact
During the outage windows, NISO plans to maintain some electricity supply to affected areas through available 132kV transmission lines. However, the agency warned that network constraints and limited capacity on these alternative lines may still result in reduced power availability for consumers.
"We are working closely with key stakeholders, including Jos and Yola Distribution Companies, as well as partners such as the Transmission Company of Nigeria," the notice stated. "Every effort is being made to ensure that outages across feeders, distribution substations, and customer clusters are managed within the stipulated timeframe."
Broader Context of Nigeria's Power Sector
This development highlights ongoing challenges within Nigeria's power transmission network, where infrastructure limitations often lead to supply disruptions during major upgrades. The project represents a critical step in addressing the country's unstable grid, frequent system collapses, and transmission visibility issues.
Particularly significant for the North-East region, which has historically experienced limited electricity access, the modernization initiative aims to support increased power generation and distribution capabilities. The fibre optic installation will create a telecommunications backbone capable of supporting advanced power system operations.
NISO concluded its notice with an apology for the inconvenience, stating: "We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to deliver a more reliable and efficient power supply to the affected States."
