The federal government of Nigeria has begun construction of a new National Control Centre for the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Osogbo, Osun State. This project aims to strengthen grid reliability and improve electricity supply across the country. The new facility will replace the existing 64-year-old centre, which no longer meets the technical demands of managing Nigeria's electricity grid.
The groundbreaking ceremony was performed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters in the Office of the Vice President. The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, also supported the project. According to Mr. Shettima, reliable electricity is central to President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, as it enables manufacturers to plan production, supports small businesses, and ensures hospitals and schools operate effectively.
The new National Control Centre will be equipped with an integrated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, large-format display screens, and advanced analytics. These technologies will enable operators to identify potential faults, plan preventive maintenance, and optimise the use of existing electricity generation and transmission capacity. This will improve responses to disturbances, support the integration of renewable energy, and strengthen Nigeria's coordination within the West African Power Pool.
The project is expected to reduce avoidable outages and improve the reliability of electricity supply for households and businesses. However, Minister Tegbe noted that the benefits of the new facility will also depend on adequate gas supply, properly maintained transmission infrastructure, and efficient distribution networks capable of delivering electricity to consumers. The control centre will strengthen coordination across the electricity value chain.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Bello Mohammed, stated that the new facility will improve the system operator's visibility of the national grid, strengthen coordination, and enable faster, better-informed responses to disruptions. Improved data from upgraded telemetry, SCADA systems, and automatic metering will support better operational decisions, enhance electricity supply reliability, and improve market settlement.
The Ministry of Power described the groundbreaking ceremony as a significant step towards modernising Nigeria's electricity grid. The project demonstrates the Tinubu administration's commitment to addressing the structural challenges affecting electricity supply in the country. Members of NISO's board and management, members of the National Assembly committees on power, and industry stakeholders attended the ceremony.
The new National Control Centre will also equip NISO to meet the technical requirements of the West African power system. The organisation is investing in developing skilled personnel to operate the facility in line with international standards. According to Mr. Mohammed, "Technology does not operate the grid, people do," emphasising the importance of building the technical capacity required to maximise the benefits of the new infrastructure.
Key points
- The new National Control Centre will improve grid monitoring and management.
- The project aims to reduce avoidable outages and improve electricity supply reliability.
- The facility will strengthen Nigeria's coordination within the West African Power Pool.
