The Nigerian Independent System Operator has announced the commencement of a wide-scale digital automation project aimed at improving the stability, reliability, and efficiency of Nigeria’s national electricity grid.
Speaking at the official brand unveiling ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Managing Director of NISO, Abdu Muhammed, said the digitisation initiative is being implemented in partnership with global tech giant, Huawei.
According to him, the project will equip the grid with modern infrastructure such as smart data analytics tools, real-time visibility platforms, and a state-of-the-art Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management System.
“This is the kind of innovation that transforms an institution from being reactive to becoming proactive.
“It will enable us to see our grid in real-time, anticipate issues before they become crises, and respond with the agility of a digitally driven system,” Muhammed stated.
He emphasised that as an independent market player in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NISO would carry out its duties professionally and transparently, without fear or favour.
“We are not an appendage; we are a principal actor in the electricity sector. Our role is to ensure fairness to all players — Distribution Companies, Generation Companies, eligible customers, and other market participants,” he said.
Muhammed noted that NISO is now approaching its mandate with a renewed sense of authority and strategic purpose.
According to him, the agency is not only coordinating grid operations within Nigeria but also deepening its presence in the West African electricity market.
“With organisations like the West African Power Pool, we are no longer just observers. We are contributing as allies in regional electricity planning,” he added.
He also disclosed that the ongoing SCADA/EMS project is progressing steadily, citing recent inspection visits to the Gwagwalada and Katampe substations as evidence of the management’s hands-on approach.
“Our management team does not rely on assumptions from the boardroom. We go to project sites, engage with field teams, and ensure that what is on paper matches what is on the ground,” he said.
While highlighting its role in Nigeria’s evolving electricity landscape, Mohammed added, “NISO’s mandate goes beyond technical grid coordination. The agency exists to provide a neutral, transparent platform that ensures fairness for all participants in the electricity market, from generation companies and distribution companies to eligible customers and regional partners.
“Every great institution has a moment when it defines itself clearly, boldly, and unapologetically.
“This is that moment for NISO. We now coordinate the grid without bias. We make market decisions without fear or favour.
“We serve with a mission to improve the quality of life through a power sector that works for the country,” Mohammed said.
NISO was formally separated from the Transmission Company of Nigeria under the Electricity Act of 2023. It now operates as a fully independent system operator with its own legal identity and structure.
This shift, Mohammed noted, has brought both responsibility and opportunity.
“The future of Nigeria’s electricity supply depends on trust. That trust begins here with us. Together, we are NISO, and together, we will deliver,” he concluded.
