NISO Begins Digitisation, Automation To Boost National Grid Reliability

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) said it has begun the  digitisation and automation drive aimed at enhancing the reliability and efficiency of Nigeria’s national electricity grid.

This initiative is a critical part of the country’s power sector reforms designed to curb frequent grid collapses and improve power supply stability nationwide.

Speaking at the unveiling of NISO’s new corporate identity in Abuja, on Tuesday, managing director/CEO Abdu Bello Mohammed said that the digitisation efforts are aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to synchronise its electricity system with the West African Power Pool (WAPP), strengthening regional grid integration.

NISO is a newly established entity responsible for the operation and management of Nigeria’s electricity grid and market.

It was created through the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), as mandated by the Electricity Act of 2023. Its core function is to ensure a reliable and stable electricity supply by managing grid operations, market transactions, and ancillary services.

He noted that NISO’s establishment as a fully independent system operator under the Electricity Act of 2023 marks a new era of transparency and neutrality in grid management, distinct from the TCN,, hence the unveiling of its Logo, Mission, vision and core values.

Mohammed explained that the agency  is working with the West African Power Pool (WAPP) to successfully synchronise the national grid, allowing Nigeria to contribute meaningfully to regional development rather than merely acting as an observer.

Central to NISO’s digital transformation is the implementation of advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management System (SCADA/EMS) technology. This project, developed in collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria and supported by the World Bank, will enable real-time grid monitoring and decision-making, significantly improving grid stability and operational efficiency.

While highlighting its role in Nigeria’s evolving electricity landscape, Mohammed said, “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,” he said. “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 actually works for the country,” Mohammed said.

He pointed out that trust in Nigeria’s electricity market hinges on trust in the institutions that manage it. “Our mission is to manage Nigeria’s electricity grid with reliability, efficiency and transparency. But the deeper goal is to create the conditions for a sustainable power sector that empowers economic growth and improves lives. That’s the impact we are aiming for,” he said.

He also laid out a bold vision: the emergence of a fully established electricity market that becomes a key driver of national development. According to him, this vision challenges NISO to think beyond routine operations and embrace innovation, collaboration, and long-term planning.

Mohammed said several steps are being taken to transform the institution internally and externally. These include a digitisation and automation drive in partnership with global technology firm Huawei, which is expected to enhance system visibility and modernise NISO’s grid management infrastructure.

He also referenced ongoing site inspections, stakeholder engagements, and a new culture of openness that values input from every level of staff. He called on NISO employees to not only embrace the new identity but to live it, act as ambassadors for its values, and hold themselves to the highest standards of public service and professionalism.

“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 stated.