NISO Strengthens Focus on Grid Stability, Staff Welfare and Market Discipline
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the reliability and stability of the National Grid, improving discipline and liquidity in the electricity market, and promoting a more productive, inclusive and supportive workplace for its employees.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, FNSE, stated this during a town hall meeting with staff, where he outlined the organisation’s achievements, ongoing reforms and management priorities.
Mohammed described the town hall as an important platform for open and constructive engagement between management and staff, saying regular interaction was essential to building trust and improving organisational performance.
On grid operations, the NISO chief highlighted the organisation’s progress in maintaining the integrity of the National Grid and improving system reliability and stability. He identified the successful synchronisation test conducted by NISO involving Nigeria and 14 other African countries as a significant technical milestone.
He also pointed to investments in critical infrastructure and technology, including the construction of ultra-modern National Control Centres in Osogbo, Osun State, and Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, NISO is also implementing advanced technologies such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Energy Management System (EMS), Automatic Generation Control (AGC), telemetry and Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring systems.
He said the initiatives would enhance real-time grid visibility, system control, operational efficiency and the early detection of emerging problems.
Mohammed cited the detection of anomalies along the Shagamu–Ikorodu transmission corridor through IoT-based monitoring as an example of the benefits of improved system visibility, noting that investigations into the corridor were ongoing.
Staff welfare and workplace culture
On staff welfare, Mohammed disclosed that the organisation had secured approval for a Conditions of Service, describing it as an important institutional framework for addressing staff-related matters.
He stressed that employee welfare goes beyond salaries and allowances to encompass workplace conditions, professional development, career progression, recognition, fairness and effective communication.
The NISO MD/CEO acknowledged concerns relating to workplace relationships, communication and management styles, urging both management and employees to contribute to a healthy organisational culture where concerns can be raised constructively and without intimidation.
On electricity market operations, Mohammed said NISO was taking deliberate steps to improve the efficiency, stability and financial sustainability of the market.
He referred to recent engagements and public hearings involving electricity distribution companies over outstanding market obligations, stressing the need for all market participants to fulfil their financial and operational responsibilities.
He also 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, Mohammed disclosed that NISO had independently developed a Transmission Expansion Plan, which is currently being benchmarked against international standards to ensure alignment with global best practices.
He added that the organisation was engaging state electricity markets and regulators to strengthen coordination and support the development of more stable and efficient electricity markets across the country.
Mohammed said the various initiatives were ultimately 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.
