Mr. Abdu Mohammed, the newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), has committed to improving coordination among industry stakeholders to boost electricity generation, transmission, and distribution in Nigeria.
This move aims to address the country’s dwindling electricity output. Mohammed plans to work closely with operators, ensuring they adhere to regulations, which should ultimately benefit industry customers.
Persecondnews had reported that the national grid recorded several partial collapses in 2024, with some months experiencing more than one incident.
In 2024 alone, no fewer than nine partial and full system collapse were recorded , with one instance dropping to 2,037.2 megawatts.
These frequent grid collapses have resulted in widespread power outages across the country, affecting millions of Nigerians.
Speaking to journalists after the inauguration of the board and management in Abuja on Tuesday, Mohammed assured that his organization will create a transparent, disciplined, and orderly environment for Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Persecondnews recalls that Vice President Kashim Shettima directed NISO Board members on Tuesday to uphold integrity and expertise standards, ensuring seamless electricity generation, transmission and distribution across Nigeria.
In compliance with the directive, the MD said the operator will provide the changes the system has been yearning for that will guarantee availability, reliability, and quality power supply to the citizenry.
He emphasized that participants are expected to adhere to market rules and grid codes.
He said: “Our major role in the power industry is to bring the needed changes in the system that will enhance availability, reliability, and quality of supply of electricity to Nigerians.
“In addition to that, we are supposed to create an atmosphere, an environment of transparency, discipline, and orderliness in the electricity business in Nigeria, meaning that participants in generation, transmission, distribution, and eligible customers behave passionately in line with the provisions of the market rules and the grid code.”
He also announced plans to visit the National Control Centre in Osogbo on Wednesday, April 9 as part of ongoing efforts to enhance Nigeria’s power grid.
Mohammed said the visit is aimed at ensuring that operators align with the vision, mission, objectives, and goals outlined in the Electricity Act 2023.
He reaffirmed his dedication to enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring compliance throughout Nigeria’s electricity sector.
He said: “We begin today, and we are going to set the ground running. We hit the ground running.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday), we’re going to Oshogbo, the National Control Center, to make sure that our operators are aligned to our vision, mission, objectives, and goals as enshrined in the Electricity Act 2023.
“Furthermore, we are going to have interfaces with generation companies, with the TSP, Transmission Service Provider, with the distribution companies, and with eligible customers.
“Those interfaces must be coordinated well, managed well, to make sure that the generation of electricity, transmission of electricity, distribution, and utilisation of electricity are in line with the rules and are in favor of the numerous Nigerian customers.”
Mohammed added that the amended EA 2023 made provision for the establishment of the NISO.
According to him, the management team assumed its job immediately in line with the law.
He said: “So, going by the law, the NISO has been inaugurated today by His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima.
“We have been inaugurated this afternoon, and we have assumed the job role as described by the EA 2023.”
He pledged that the NISO board of management will usher in the aforementioned qualities to make the power sector tick as obtainable in stronger electricity industries.
He said: “The coming on board of the NISO Board of Management will usher in these qualities that are required to make the power sector tick, just like other power sectors in bigger jurisdictions. Now it’s a journey. It is not a one-off business. The beginning of the journey starts today.”
Persecondnews had reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in March 2025, announced the appointment of the executive and non-executive members of the NISO.
The 11-member board, chaired by legal and financial expert Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, is tasked with overseeing the operational and market independence of NISO, which will now manage critical aspects of Nigeria’s electricity supply chain, including grid stability, system operations, power dispatch, and market coordination.
Other members of the board include Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed (Managing Director), Engr. Nafisatu Asabe Ali (Executive Director, System Operation), Engr. Shehu Abba-Aliyu (Executive Director, System Planning), Dr. Edmund Eje (Executive Director, Market Operation), and Mr. Babajide Ibironke (Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services).
Non-executive directors include Engr. Lamu Audu, Mrs. Folake Soetan, Mr. Tajudeen Giwa-Osagie, Mr. Mahmuda Mamman (Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power), and Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz (MD/CEO, Transmission Company of Nigeria).
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