The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) yesterday celebrated its first anniversary, unveiling major plans to ‘island’ the national power grid to prevent widespread system collapses.
Speaking in Abuja, NISO CEO Mohammed Bello said the grid segmentation would isolate faults, ensuring disturbances in one section don’t trigger nationwide outages. He described the move as a key step in strengthening Nigeria’s electricity management.
“One year on, we have prioritised grid stability, market transparency, coordinated system planning, and regional integration,” Bello said. “With grid islanding, a disturbance in one segment will no longer cascade across the national network. Only the affected section will be isolated, allowing the rest to operate normally.”
NISO is also enforcing the ‘Free Governor Mode’ among generation companies to improve frequency response, a measure expected to boost grid stability. Bello acknowledged that compliance has been uneven but said enforcement would intensify.
The agency is tackling weak protection coordination by standardising relay systems, aiming to complete the process within months. It has also accelerated deployment of SCADA/EMS and telemetry infrastructure to transition grid management from manual processes to automated, data-driven operations. Internet of Things (IoT) devices are being installed across generation units, transmission points, and substations to provide full end-to-end grid visibility.
“Enhanced monitoring and control are central to real-time management of the national grid,” Bello explained. “The telemetry system will improve efficiency and enable near real-time settlements in the electricity market.”
NISO has also improved market compliance, coordination, and transparency, while supporting integration of state electricity markets and renewable energy. Progress has been made on system planning, including the Integrated Resource Plan, a revised Transmission Expansion Plan, and proposals for a “super grid” to strengthen transmission infrastructure.
Transmission losses, previously near 10 percent and costing billions monthly, have been reduced to about 7 percent, with targets set to bring it down to 5–6 percent.
At the regional level, Nigeria achieved trial synchronisation with the West African Power Pool, allowing for cross-border electricity trade, enhanced grid resilience, and potential foreign exchange earnings.
Despite achievements, challenges such as infrastructure gaps, market liquidity issues, and uneven compliance remain. NISO plans to focus its second year on improving grid visibility, system reliability, market efficiency, and renewable energy integration.
Bello said the agency’s success would be measured by a stable national grid, a credible electricity market, and strong investor confidence. He thanked the federal government, regulators, industry stakeholders, development partners, and NISO staff for their support in the first year.
