Susan Abayomi
The Federal Government has commenced construction of a new National Control Centre for the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Osogbo, Osun State, as part of efforts to strengthen the reliability and resilience of the country’s electricity grid.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the ultra-modern facility was performed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented at the event by the Senior Special Assistant (Legal), Office of the Vice President, with the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, also in attendance.
The new centre will replace the existing facility, which has been in operation for 64 years and is no longer considered adequate for the demands of managing Nigeria’s increasingly interconnected electricity system.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice President said reliable electricity remains central to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that a stable power supply is critical to economic growth and productivity.
He said dependable electricity enables manufacturers to plan production, supports small businesses, strengthens the operations of hospitals and schools and creates opportunities for employment and wider economic development.
According to him, the National Control Centre plays a critical role in protecting the reliability of the power system, making it necessary for Nigeria to upgrade the infrastructure used to manage its national grid.
Providing details of the project, Tegbe said the new facility would significantly improve NISO’s ability to monitor activities across the national grid and respond more effectively to emerging challenges.
He said the project represents part of the Federal Government’s efforts to address structural weaknesses within the electricity sector and improve the overall management of available generation and transmission capacity.
Upon completion, the centre is expected to feature integrated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, large-format display systems and advanced analytics to assist operators in identifying potential faults, planning preventive maintenance and making more efficient use of available power resources.
The facility is also expected to strengthen the system operator’s response to grid disturbances, support the integration of renewable energy sources and enhance Nigeria’s coordination with the West African Power Pool.
According to the minister, the project will also incorporate stronger physical and cybersecurity measures to protect critical electricity infrastructure.
Tegbe said the ultimate benefit for electricity consumers and businesses should include fewer avoidable disruptions and improved reliability of supply.
He, however, noted that the effectiveness of the new control centre would also depend on other critical components of the electricity value chain, including adequate gas supply, properly maintained transmission infrastructure and functional distribution networks capable of delivering electricity to consumers.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, said the new centre would enhance the organisation’s visibility across the national grid and improve coordination during system disturbances.
Mohammed said upgraded telemetry, SCADA and automated metering systems would provide operators with better-quality data for faster and more informed decision-making.
He added that the improved systems would contribute to greater grid security and resilience while also supporting more efficient electricity market settlement.
According to him, the facility would position NISO to meet the technical requirements of the wider West African power system.
Mohammed also stressed the importance of developing the human capacity required to operate the advanced facility, noting that technology alone cannot manage the national grid without adequately trained professionals.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by members of the NISO Board and Management, members of the National Assembly Committees on Power, representatives of electricity distribution companies, officials of the Osun State Government, industry stakeholders and community leaders.
