NISO Seeks Stronger Collaboration to Stabilise Nigeria’s Electricity Grid

"The complexity of the electricity sector required stakeholders to move beyond operating within institutional boundaries and work collectively towards ensuring a stable electricity supply." Bello, NISO MD 

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the electricity sector to achieve a more stable, reliable and resilient national grid.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engr. Abdu Mohammed Bello, made the call at a workshop on “Strengthening Grid Stability: A Collaborative Workshop for NESI Stakeholders,” held at the Jebba Power Station, Kwara State.

The workshop, hosted by Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, brought together key stakeholders across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) to examine persistent challenges confronting the national grid and develop practical measures for improving system stability.

Bello said the complexity of the electricity sector required stakeholders to move beyond operating within institutional boundaries and work collectively towards ensuring a stable electricity supply.

He stressed that grid stability was not the responsibility of NISO alone, but a shared obligation involving generation companies, transmission operators, distribution companies, gas suppliers, regulators and other critical players in the electricity value chain.

According to him, effective coordination and timely communication among stakeholders remained critical to preventing avoidable system disturbances and improving the sector’s overall performance.

He noted that NISO, as the system operator, had a central role in coordinating activities across the power system, but could only achieve sustainable improvements through cooperation with other industry participants.

The NISO boss also emphasised the need for stakeholders to strengthen operational discipline, information sharing, system planning and adherence to established grid operating procedures.

He said the workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders to openly examine the causes of grid instability, share operational experiences and identify solutions that could be implemented collectively.

Bello said NISO remained committed to working with all stakeholders to build a more resilient electricity system capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

The workshop also provided a platform for participants to discuss the operational challenges associated with generation, transmission and distribution, as well as the need for improved coordination between the different segments of the electricity value chain.

The choice of Jebba Power Station for the engagement underscored the importance of hydroelectric generation to Nigeria’s power system and the need to strengthen collaboration between generating companies and the system operator.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that achieving lasting grid stability would require sustained cooperation, improved operational practices, investment in critical infrastructure and a collective commitment to resolving systemic challenges affecting electricity supply.

The engagement is expected to strengthen relationships among NESI stakeholders and promote a more coordinated approach to the management and operation of Nigeria’s electricity grid.