The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has commenced the construction of a new ultra-modern National Control Centre in Osogbo, Osun State, as part of efforts to strengthen the management, operation and security of Nigeria’s national electricity grid.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Wednesday, was performed on behalf of Vice President Kashim Shettima by his Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Compliance Matters, Alhaji Bashir Maidugu.
Maidugu said the project demonstrated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to developing critical national infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the facility would contribute to socio-economic development by creating a more conducive environment for citizens and businesses.
Giving an overview of the project, the Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Tegbe, said the existing National Control Centre had been in service for about 60 years, making the development of a modern facility imperative.
Tegbe said the new centre would be better suited to the demands of an evolving national power system, while calling for greater collaboration and support for NISO to enable it deliver on its mandate of providing reliable and efficient electricity nationwide.
The Chairman of the NISO Board of Directors, Dr Adesegun A. Akin-Olugbade, described the project as a major milestone in the implementation of the institutional framework established by the Electricity Act 2023.
He said the effective delivery of NISO’s responsibilities in market administration, system operation and system planning required advanced technology, strong governance and robust technical capabilities.
Also speaking, the NISO Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, FNSE, described the groundbreaking as the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s power system operations.
Mohammed said the increasing complexity of the national grid required modern technology, reliable data and highly skilled professionals to ensure effective system operation.
He said the new control centre would improve grid visibility, strengthen real-time monitoring and security, and enable operators to respond to system events with greater speed and precision.
The ultra-modern facility is expected to provide an advanced operational environment to support NISO’s mandate as Nigeria’s system operator and enhance the reliability and security of the national electricity grid.
