NISO Board Chairman says control center is crucial to electricity reform in Nigeria

NISO Board Chairman says control center is crucial to electricity reform in Nigeria

By Raphael Ekpang

Osogbo (Core Reporters) – The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Dr. Adesegun A. Akin-Olugbade, has described the new ultra-modern National Control Center (NCC) in Osogbo, Osun State, as a critical institutional infrastructure for the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s electricity sector.

Akin-Olugbade said the plant, construction of which formally began on Wednesday, will strengthen NISO’s ability to fulfill its statutory responsibilities of system operation, market operation and system planning under the Electricity Act 2023.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Osogbo, the Chairman of the NISO Board of Directors said the importance of the project goes beyond the construction of a new physical facility, stressing that it represents an investment in the institutional capacity needed to manage Nigeria’s increasingly complex electricity system.

He said the establishment of NISO under the Electricity Act 2023 is part of deliberate reforms designed to strengthen the institutional architecture of the electricity sector through clear responsibilities, operational independence, effective governance and increased technical capacity.

According to him, the three main functions of NISO – market management, system management and system planning – are crucial to the development of a modern electricity industry.

He explained that while market operation provides the framework for transparent and efficient administration of the electricity market, system planning enables the sector to anticipate future needs and guide orderly development.

System Operation, he added, provides the real-time coordination needed to maintain the security, stability and reliability of the interconnected energy system.

Akin-Olugbade said the new National Control Center will therefore constitute a key component of the institutional framework needed to give practical effect to the ongoing reforms in the electricity sector.

“The ability to observe the national grid in real time, coordinate system resources, manage contingencies and maintain system security is critical to the credibility and effectiveness of the electricity market,” he said.

The Chairman of the NISO Board of Directors emphasized that the success of electricity sector reform will depend not only on infrastructure but also on governance, competent staff, sound procedures and accountability.

He said the Council is committed to ensuring that the independence of system operation and market functioning is supported by institutional systems that promote neutrality, transparency, professionalism, accountability and consistency in decision-making.

Akin-Olugbade noted that NISO operates within an electricity market that involves generators, transmission service providers, distribution companies, consumers, regulators, government institutions and other market participants.

The organization must therefore administer its mandate in a professional and impartial manner, in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework and in the general interest of a safe and efficient electricity system.

The Prime Minister also linked the project to Nigeria’s broader economic development, stressing that reliable electricity remains essential for manufacturing, commerce, telecommunications, healthcare, education, agriculture, digital services and other productive activities.

He said strengthening the security and resilience of the national electricity system consequently represents an investment in Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.

Akin-Olugbade further highlighted the regional importance of NISO’s evolving responsibilities, given Nigeria’s participation in the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the country’s growing integration into the regional electricity architecture.

He recalled the successful synchronization test involving Nigeria’s power system and WAPP on November 8, 2025, saying regional interconnection would create opportunities for electricity trading, greater system flexibility and more efficient use of available resources.

However, according to him, the development will also place greater demands on the institutions responsible for system security and coordination of interconnected networks.

Akin-Olugbade said NISO must therefore develop capabilities that can support both Nigeria’s domestic electricity system and the requirements of an increasingly interconnected West African energy market.

He also identified human capacity as a critical component of the project, saying that investments in sophisticated infrastructure must be accompanied by investments in professionals capable of operating and managing the systems effectively.

“A modern control center requires modern professionals. The Council therefore believes that investments in infrastructure and investments in people are complementary components of the same institutional agenda,” he said.

He assured that the NISO Board will continue to provide the strategic direction and oversight needed to ensure the organization remains aligned with its statutory mandate as the electricity sector evolves.

According to him, changes in regulatory frameworks, market structures, technology, generation sources and regional integration of electricity require Nigerian institutions to continuously improve their capabilities.

The Prime Minister expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its commitment to the reform and development of the electricity sector and acknowledged the presence of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the ceremony.

He also commended the Osun State Government, Federal Ministry of Power, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance Incorporated and other stakeholders for their contribution to the development of the electricity industry.

Akin-Olugbade appreciated the government and people of Osun State for hosting the national infrastructure and commended the management, staff, technical partners, consultants and other stakeholders of NISO whose efforts took the project to the groundbreaking stage.

He said the ultimate significance of the NCC will not be measured by the physical structure alone, but by the institutional capacity, operational capacity and public value it will enable.

“Today we are not simply breaking ground for a new building. We are strengthening an institution. We are investing in the infrastructure of electricity sector reform. And we are laying part of the foundation for a modern Nigerian electricity system,” he said.

He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to providing the governance, oversight and strategic direction necessary for NISO to effectively fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to it by law.