In a statement released on Thursday and titled “Notice of Scheduled Maintenance on Major Gas Plant and Facilities,” NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, explained that the maintenance forms part of standard industry safety and asset integrity protocols. The activity is aimed at ensuring continued reliability, efficiency, and safe operation of critical gas infrastructure.
“The public is hereby informed that Seplat Energy Plc, a Joint Venture partner of NNPC Ltd and a key supplier of gas into the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited pipeline network, has scheduled routine maintenance on its gas production facilities from 12th to 15th February 2026,” the statement read.
Odeh added that such periodic maintenance is essential to sustain optimal system performance, strengthen operational resilience, and reduce the risk of unplanned outages.
Expected Impact on Power Supply
NNPC warned that the maintenance will lead to a temporary reduction in gas supply into the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC) pipeline network, which supplies several thermal power plants and industrial customers across the country. As a result, some power generation companies dependent on this supply may experience reduced gas availability, which could modestly impact electricity generation levels during the maintenance period.
Nigeria’s power sector is heavily reliant on gas-fired plants, which account for over 70 per cent of installed generation capacity. Most thermal plants receive feedstock through the NGIC pipeline network and other gas transportation systems connecting upstream producers in the Niger Delta to generation hubs in the South-West and other regions.
In recent years, gas supply disruptions—whether caused by pipeline vandalism, payment arrears, or technical faults—have frequently led to generation shortfalls, forcing the system operator to implement load management measures.
Mitigation Measures
NNPC assured stakeholders that proactive steps are being taken to mitigate the impact of the planned shutdown. The company said it is working closely with Seplat Energy to ensure the maintenance is executed safely and completed as scheduled. In addition, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited is engaging alternative gas suppliers to fill potential supply gaps and maintain stability across the network.
“Upon completion of the maintenance exercise, full gas supply into the NGIC system is expected to resume promptly, enabling affected power generation companies to return to normal operations,” the statement added.
Context and Broader Implications
The routine maintenance underscores the delicate connection between Nigeria’s upstream gas operations and electricity supply stability. With average grid generation often hovering between 4,000MW and 5,000MW despite significantly higher installed capacity, even modest supply disruptions can affect distribution networks and consumers.
The maintenance notice comes amid ongoing reforms in the electricity market and the Federal Government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative aimed at deepening gas utilisation. Stakeholders say sustained investment in redundancy, storage, and diversified energy sources will be essential to reducing the grid’s vulnerability to periodic gas supply constraints.
NNPC has promised to provide further updates as necessary during the maintenance period.