Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
SOKOTO, Nigeria – Parts of Sokoto Town face a temporary electricity blackout as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) carries out scheduled maintenance on a key power facility, the company announces.
TCN says it is conducting annual preventive maintenance on a 30/40MVA power transformer at the Sokoto Transmission Substation, with work scheduled from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday, 17 January 2026. The exercise disrupts bulk power supply to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), affecting electricity distribution in selected areas.
In a statement signed by the TCN General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah on Saturday, the company explained that KAEDCO will be unable to off-take electricity from the affected transformer during the maintenance window.
Areas expected to experience outages include Sama Road, Abuja Road, Gagi Area, Minanata Area, Old Airport, and the Army Barracks, according to the company.
TCN stresses that the planned shutdown is essential to safeguard the reliability of Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure. “The maintenance is necessary to ensure the continued safety, reliability and efficient operation of the transmission equipment supplying electricity to the area,” the statement says.
Power disruptions remain a recurring concern for residents and businesses in northern Nigeria, where grid stability challenges often compound economic pressures. TCN says routine preventive maintenance helps minimise unplanned failures and improves long-term service delivery.
The company apologises to affected customers for the inconvenience and urges residents to plan accordingly during the outage period.
“TCN sincerely regrets any inconvenience this temporary outage may cause electricity customers in the affected locations,” Mbah says, adding that the company appreciates public understanding as it works to strengthen power system performance nationwide.
Electricity supply is expected to resume immediately after the maintenance is completed, barring unforeseen technical issues.
About the Author
Hussaini Ibrahim 
Mirian Gom 
Chukwu Obinna