By Bassey Udo
The Nigerian Independent Systems Operator (NISO) says the focus of its operations in 2026 would be on consolidating on the operational milestones recorded during the short period of its existence.
NISO was established in April this year following the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and charged with the mandate of serving as an independent manager of the national grid.
As an independent system operator, the agency, by virtue of the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, became the new entity in charge of managing Nigeria’s power system operations (dispatch and grid control); electricity market operations (trading) and the entire and system planning to attract investment for efficiency and reliability.
In his 2025 End-of-Year message titled: “NISO On the Move – The Year Ahead”, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engineer Abdu Bello Mohammed, said within the short period it has been in operation, it was able to take the first meaningful steps in operationalizing its mandate.
“We recorded early progress in grid operations, strengthened regional cooperation, and began deploying modern tools to improve system visibility and coordination,” he said.
“These early gains, achieved within a start-up environment, reflect a commitment to excellence and service,” he added.
Beyond technical progress, Mohammed said the management of NISO paid attention to the people as the backbone of the institution, by prioritizing staff development, welfare, and industrial harmony.
He said progress was recorded in training, promotions, incentives, welfare support, and constructive engagement with labour, which reflect NISO’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and mutual respect.
Acknowledging the patience and cooperation shown by staff during the formative phase of the organization, the MD assured them that management values their support, adding that where challenges exist, it remain committed to open dialogue, continuous improvement, and shared problem-solving.
Building a new national institution as NISO, he pointed out, requires patience, adaptability, and a shared sense of purpose, adding that within the short period of their working together, the staff have demonstrated professionalism, resilience, and dedication, while navigating change and uncertainty.
He thanked the Ministry of Power, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), NISO Board of Directors, and staff for the foundation of NISO.
Looking ahead, he said the focus of his management in 2026 would be on consolidating on milestones, to strengthen its operations, build capacity, improve systems, and create an enabling environment for the staff to work and grow professionally, while contributing meaningfully to national development.
“The journey ahead will require unity, discipline, and trust. I am confident that, working together, we will continue to build an organization we can all be proud of.
To industry partners, stakeholders, and the Nigerian people, he described 2025 as a year of purposeful transition, collaboration, coordination, professionalism and remarkable transformation.
He identified some operational milestones that directly contributed to the nation’s power system stability and sector credibility, including the historic regional grid synchronization under the West African Power Pool (WAPP).
For the first time, he said during the year, with WAPP, the nation’s power system successfully operated in real-time synchronization with the broader West African regional grid for four uninterrupted hours.
That landmark achievement, he noted, unlocked new opportunities for regional power trade, enhanced collective energy security, and positioned Nigeria at the centre of regional electricity cooperation.
Also, he said NISO recorded improvements in system operations, expanded grid visibility through digital initiatives, and advanced planning processes that support long-term national development.
“Together, these efforts are strengthening the resilience of the grid and reinforcing confidence in NISO’s mandate,” he said.
Despite operating under familiar system constraints, he said the grid experienced a noticeable improvement in stability during the year, compared to previous years, where disturbances were fewer and more effectively managed.
The noticeable improvement, he said, was a direct reflection of the professionalism, vigilance, and commitment of the system operators, improved coordination with market participants and stakeholders.
“NISO remains firmly committed to building a resilient, flexible, and future-ready grid—one capable of supporting increased renewable energy integration, driving industrial growth, and powering Nigeria’s sustainable economic future,” the MD said.
