From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Engr. Abdu Mohammed, has solicited for a stronger synergy among stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI); warning that decentralization should create opportunities for investment and growth rather than result in fragmented infrastructure and poor coordination.
He made the call at the ongoing Africa Energy Leadership Summit 2026 holding from October 27 to 29 at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, where he said Nigeria’s evolving electricity market required a more coordinated approach to infrastructure planning, system operations and information management as more states establish their own electricity markets under the Electricity Act 2023.
Mohammed explained that the emergence of multiple electricity markets, independent transmission infrastructure providers, decentralised generation and new distribution networks was changing demands on the country’s electricity system, thereby requiring new operational frameworks.
According to him, NISO was expanding its role beyond conventional grid operations to serve as a neutral technical integrator, system coordinator and market facilitator, providing planning, operational and market coordination interfaces needed for institutions and market participants to function efficiently within the wider ecosystem.
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The NISO boss, however, clarified that its evolving role did not make it a regulator of state electricity markets nor diminish the statutory responsibilities of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and State Electricity Regulatory Authorities.
He noted that effective coordination had become increasingly important as state electricity networks connect to the national transmission grid, exchange electricity across state boundaries or depend on shared transmission infrastructure, warning that poorly coordinated investments could undermine the benefits of decentralisation.
Mohammed added that NISO was advancing Integrated Resource Planning methodologies to ensure investments in generation, transmission and distribution complement one another and are technically compatible and economically justified, while also pursuing a centralised NESI data infrastructure to consolidate and share critical industry information.
While urging state governments, regulators, investors and development partners to work with NISO to translate opportunities in the Electricity Act 2023 into improved electricity access, reliability and affordability.
