By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
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 creating a more productive 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 organization’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, noting that NISO had recorded progress in maintaining the integrity of the National Grid and improving system reliability and stability.
He highlighted the successful synchronization test conducted by NISO involving Nigeria and 14 other African countries as a significant technical milestone for the organization.
The NISO chief also disclosed that the organization was investing 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 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 improve real-time grid visibility, system control and operational efficiency, while enhancing NISO’s ability to detect and respond to emerging challenges.
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, adding that investigations into the corridor were still ongoing.
On staff welfare, the NISO boss announced the approval of a Conditions of Service, describing it as an important institutional framework for addressing staff matters.
He stressed that employee welfare extended beyond salaries and allowances to encompass workplace conditions, professional development, career progression, recognition, fairness and effective communication.
Mohammed also acknowledged concerns relating to workplace relationships, communication and management styles, urging both management and staff to contribute to a healthy organizational culture where concerns could be raised constructively and without intimidation.
On electricity market operations, he said NISO was taking deliberate measures 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 further emphasised NISO’s enforcement of the Grid Code and Market Rules, noting that a healthy and sustainable electricity market depended 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 was being benchmarked against international standards to ensure alignment with global best practices.
He added that the organization was engaging state electricity markets and regulators to strengthen coordination and support the development of more stable electricity markets.
Mohammed said the various initiatives were 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.
