By Mary Izuaka

 

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the reliability of the national grid, enforcing discipline, ensuring liquidity in the electricity market, and enhancing staff welfare and workplace culture.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Abdu Mohammed, disclosed this on Tuesday during a town hall meeting with staff in Abuja, where he outlined the organisation’s achievements, ongoing reforms and management priorities.

Investments in grid infrastructure

Mr Mohammed said NISO had made significant progress in maintaining grid integrity and improving system reliability and stability.

He highlighted the successful synchronisation test conducted by NISO involving Nigeria and 14 other African countries as a major technical milestone.

He noted the investments in critical infrastructure, including the construction of ultra-modern National Control Centres in Osogbo, Osun State and Gwagwalada in the FCT.

According to him, the company has also deployed SCADA, Energy Management System, EMS, Automatic Generation Control, AGC, telemetry and IoT-based monitoring systems.

“These initiatives are expected to improve real-time grid visibility, system control, operational efficiency and the ability to identify emerging problems,” he said.

Citing an example, he said IoT-based monitoring had helped detect anomalies along the Shagamu–Ikorodu transmission corridor. He added that investigations into the corridor remain ongoing.

Workplace culture

On staff welfare, Mr Mohammed announced the approval of a Conditions of Service, which he described as an important institutional framework for staff matters.

He said welfare goes beyond salaries and allowances to include workplace conditions, professional development, career progression, recognition, fairness and effective communication.

The NISO CEO acknowledged concerns around workplace relationships, communication and management styles. He called on both management and staff to build a healthy organisational culture “where concerns can be raised constructively and without intimidation.”

Market discipline and transmission planning

On market operations, Mr Mohammed said NISO was taking deliberate steps to strengthen the efficiency, stability and financial sustainability of the electricity market.

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He referenced recent engagements and public hearings involving electricity distribution companies over outstanding market obligations, and stressed the need for market participants to fulfil their obligations.

He emphasised NISO’s enforcement of the grid code and market rules, noting that “a healthy and sustainable electricity market depends on compliance, accountability and the fulfilment of obligations by all participants.”

On system planning, he said NISO had independently developed a transmission expansion plan, which is being benchmarked against international standards to ensure alignment with global best practices.

He added that NISO is engaging state electricity markets and regulators to strengthen coordination and support the development of more stable electricity markets.

Mr Mohammed said the various initiatives are aimed at improving market liquidity, strengthening discipline, enhancing grid stability and positioning NISO as a “data-driven and technology-enabled system operator and market administrator.