TCN announces two-day power outage in six northern states for critical maintenance

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a two-day electricity outage across six northern states starting this weekend for critical maintenance work. Residents in Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, and Taraba states will experience power disruptions as the company installs new equipment on its transmission network.

According to a statement issued on Saturday, July 18, 2026, by TCN's General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, the outage will affect parts of these states, including major cities like Bauchi, Gombe, Damaturu, Maiduguri, Yola, and Jalingo. The planned blackout comes shortly after a similar power interruption in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with thousands of households and businesses expected to be affected over the weekend.

Why the outage is happening

TCN explained that the outage is necessary to enable the installation of an Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) on the 330kV Jos-Bauchi-Gombe single-circuit transmission line at the Bauchi 330/132/33kV Transmission Substation. The company described the project as part of efforts to strengthen the national transmission infrastructure and improve the reliability of electricity supply across the region.

Because of the maintenance work, the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) and the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) will temporarily be unable to receive bulk electricity from TCN for distribution to customers. TCN assured residents that electricity supply would be restored immediately after the installation work is completed.

Affected locations and what residents should do

The affected locations include Bauchi, Gombe, Damaturu in Yobe, Maiduguri in Borno, Yola in Adamawa, and Jalingo in Taraba. Residents in these cities and surrounding communities have been advised to prepare for temporary disruptions to electricity supply while the maintenance exercise is underway.

The statement read: TCN appealed to affected customers for understanding, noting that the temporary inconvenience is necessary to improve the performance and reliability of the transmission network. The announcement means residents and businesses across the affected states should make alternative power arrangements ahead of the scheduled maintenance, particularly those that rely heavily on uninterrupted electricity for commercial and essential services.

What this means for residents and businesses

For households and businesses in these six states, the two-day outage means higher reliance on generators and other backup power sources. Businesses that depend on stable electricity, such as cold storage facilities, hospitals, and manufacturing plants, should prepare for potential losses or operational disruptions. The outage also affects parts of neighbouring Niger Republic, specifically Gazaoua, which receives electricity through Nigeria's transmission network.