Nigeria’s national electricity grid recorded a marked improvement in stability in 2025 despite long-standing structural challenges in the power sector, according to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO).
In his end-of-year message, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Abdu Bello Mohammed, said grid disturbances during the year were fewer and more effectively managed than in previous years, reflecting better operational control across the network. He attributed the progress to the professionalism, vigilance and dedication of system operators, as well as improved coordination with market participants and key stakeholders, which helped limit disruptions and restore supply more efficiently when incidents occurred.
Mohammed described 2025 as a year of purposeful transition and NISO’s first full year of operations following its establishment in April 2025 after the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria. While acknowledging the challenges involved in building a new national institution, he said early results had been encouraging.
According to him, NISO recorded initial gains in grid operations, strengthened regional cooperation and began deploying modern tools to improve system visibility and coordination. He noted that these achievements, realised within a start-up environment, demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to excellence and public service.
Beyond technical improvements, Mohammed stressed that management placed strong emphasis on staff welfare and capacity development throughout the year. He said progress was made in training, promotions, incentives, welfare support and constructive engagement with labour unions, all aimed at ensuring industrial harmony and a motivated workforce. He assured staff that management valued their patience and cooperation during the agency’s formative stage and remained committed to transparency, open dialogue and continuous improvement.
One of the major highlights of the year, Mohammed said, was Nigeria’s historic regional grid synchronisation under the West African Power Pool. For the first time, Nigeria’s power system successfully operated in real-time synchronisation with the wider West African regional grid for four uninterrupted hours. He said the milestone positioned Nigeria at the centre of regional electricity cooperation and created new opportunities for cross-border power trade and enhanced energy security in West Africa.
The NISO chief also disclosed that the organisation made progress in expanding grid visibility through digital initiatives and advancing planning processes designed to support long-term national development, steps he said were essential to building confidence in NISO’s mandate as an independent system operator.
Providing context, Mohammed noted that Nigeria’s electricity sector has long struggled with grid collapses, weak coordination and ageing infrastructure, challenges that led to reforms and the creation of NISO to improve neutrality, transparency and efficiency in grid management.
Looking ahead to 2026, he said NISO would focus on consolidating its early gains by strengthening operations, building internal capacity and improving systems to support Nigeria’s evolving energy mix. He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to developing a resilient, flexible and future-ready national grid capable of integrating more renewable energy, driving industrial growth and supporting sustainable economic development.
Mohammed called for sustained collaboration among government agencies, regulators, market participants and development partners, expressing optimism that continued cooperation would deliver a stronger, smarter and more reliable electricity sector in the years ahead.
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