Nigeria’s power grid is set for a major technological upgrade as the Federal Government begins construction of a new ultra-modern National Control Centre for the Nigerian Independent System Operator, NISO, in Osogbo, Osun State.
The new facility is expected to replace the existing 64-year-old control centre and strengthen the country’s ability to monitor, manage and respond to disturbances across the national electricity grid.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by his Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Office of the Vice President Bashir Maidugu, performed the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, alongside the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.
Shettima said reliable electricity remains central to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing power as critical to economic growth, industrial production, healthcare, education and job creation.
He said Nigeria could not operate a modern, interconnected electricity grid with outdated infrastructure, stressing the need to equip the system with technology capable of protecting and improving grid reliability.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the new control centre would give NISO improved visibility of activities across the national grid and enable operators to respond more quickly to emerging faults and system disturbances.
According to him, the facility will feature integrated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, SCADA, systems, large-format displays and advanced analytics to support preventive maintenance and more efficient use of available generation and transmission capacity.
Tegbe said the centre would also support the integration of renewable energy and strengthen Nigeria’s coordination with the West African Power Pool, while improving physical and cyber security.
He said the expected benefits for consumers and businesses include fewer avoidable outages and a more dependable electricity supply.
However, the Minister noted that improved grid control must be complemented by adequate gas supply, properly maintained transmission infrastructure and functional distribution networks to ensure electricity reaches end users.
NISO Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abdu Bello Mohammed, said the new centre would improve the operator’s visibility of the national grid and support faster, better-informed decisions during system disturbances.
He said upgraded telemetry, SCADA and automatic metering would provide better data for grid management and market settlement, while strengthening the resilience and security of electricity supply.
Mohammed added that the facility would position NISO to meet the technical demands of the West African power system and operate the grid in line with international standards.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by NISO’s board and management, members of the National Assembly Committees on Power, representatives of distribution companies, the Osun State Government, industry stakeholders and community leaders.