Energy Incident Register
Register / Grid infrastructure / EIR-0735
← Back to the list
Grid infrastructureNigeriaEIR-0735

Fault at Gombe substation triggers partial national grid collapse in Nigeria

2026Published 15 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

SignificantElectrical
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersMedium confidence
supply cut for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordRoot cause hiddenFailed part hidden
Where
Gombe transmission substation, Nigeria
What
Voltage disturbance caused partial national grid collapse
Response
Technical teams stabilised network within hours
Cause
Voltage disturbance at Gombe substation
Outcome
Supply fully restored within a few hours

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Nigerian Independent System Operator

What happened

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) reported that a voltage disturbance originating at the Gombe transmission substation caused a partial collapse of the national grid on a Tuesday in January 2026, the second such disturbance recorded that year. The disturbance propagated beyond Gombe, affecting the Jebba, Kainji and Ayede transmission substations, with some transmission lines and generating units tripping as a result. NISO stated the event was a partial rather than total system collapse, contrary to some media reports. Technical teams undertook immediate corrective actions to stabilise the network, and electricity supply to the affected areas was fully restored within a few hours of the disturbance.

Contributing factors

A voltage disturbance at the Gombe transmission substation spread across the network, causing tripping of transmission lines and generating units at multiple substations including Jebba, Kainji and Ayede.

Lessons learned

  1. A voltage disturbance at a transmission substation can trip lines and units at remote sites, so operators should review protection settings across connected substations.
  2. Prompt corrective actions after a substation fault can prevent total collapse, so operators should maintain rapid response protocols for voltage events.

More lessons on electrical protection and isolation, structural integrity and turbines, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Exact cause of the voltage disturbance
  • Age and model of substation equipment
  • Duration of any generation unit outages
  • Cost of the incident

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

leadership.ng

Published 2026-09-15. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

See the register's stories first in Google: add it as a preferred source.

Chart to reuse with this story: Grid infrastructure incidents in Nigeria, by year, free with a credit (PNG).

Grid infrastructure incidents in Nigeria: 19 entries, with a free alert for the next one.

Substation and transformer fires: the counts, the latest entries and a free alert for the next one.

Browse the full register or submit an incident.