Power outage looms across Nigeria as scheduled maintenance on a key gas facility is set to cut supply to several thermal power plants between February 12 and 15, 2026.
The announcement came from Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, which disclosed that Seplat Energy Plc will carry out routine work on its gas production assets. Seplat is a major supplier into the NGIC pipeline network.
According to NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, the four-day exercise is part of standard safety and asset integrity procedures. However, it will temporarily reduce gas supply into the network.
As a result, several power generation companies are expected to face lower gas availability. The company admitted this could “modestly impact electricity generation levels” during the maintenance window.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) confirmed it received formal notice of the shutdown. It warned that gas constraints would affect major thermal stations linked to the national grid.
Plants likely to be directly hit include Egbin Power Station, Azura-Edo Power Station, Sapele Power Station, and Transcorp Power. Indirect effects may also reach NDPHC Sapele, Olorunsogo, and Omotosho plants due to network-wide gas balancing.
NISO stressed that the temporary gas shortfall will reduce available thermal generation capacity. It pledged to activate real-time operational measures to protect grid stability.
If load shedding becomes necessary, it will be implemented in a “structured and transparent” manner in coordination with Distribution Companies. Critical infrastructure, hospitals, and security installations will receive priority.
Meanwhile, NNPC said its subsidiary, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, is working to source alternative gas supplies to cushion the impact. Full gas flow is expected to resume immediately after maintenance ends, with normal supply projected by February 16, 2026.
The development highlights Nigeria’s heavy reliance on gas-fired thermal plants and the vulnerability of power supply to upstream disruptions.
