The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a planned one-month power outage to carry out essential maintenance on the Benin–Ajaokuta 330kV transmission line, warning that several communities under the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) will experience significant daytime power interruptions.
According to TCN, the outage will run daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., February 27 to March 31, 2026, to allow contractors to safely perform restringing and other maintenance works at the Ihovbor Power Plant Turn-In/Turn-Out Transmission Substation. The maintenance is necessary to ensure the reliability of bulk power transmission and prevent unexpected breakdowns in the region.
Areas Expected to Be Affected
Residents and businesses in the following areas are expected to experience power interruptions of up to 10 hours daily during the maintenance period:
- University of Benin (UNIBEN) and surrounding neighborhoods
- Oluku
- Egba
- Ihovbor area
TCN assured that electricity supply will resume each evening after 6:00 p.m., allowing households and businesses to access power overnight and in the early morning. The company also apologised for the inconvenience and emphasised that the maintenance is vital for long-term grid stability.
Context of the Outage
The announcement comes amid persistent challenges in Nigeria’s power sector, including generation shortfalls and grid instability, which have previously contributed to frequent load shedding across parts of the country. Experts note that scheduled outages like this, while inconvenient, are critical to maintaining the reliability and safety of the national grid.
TCN urged affected residents and businesses to make necessary arrangements during the outage period and to observe safety precautions, particularly in areas where the transmission lines cross major roads.
The company concluded by reassuring Nigerians that full power supply will be restored once the maintenance is completed at the end of March 2026, signalling a long-term improvement in electricity delivery for the Benin region.
