In Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, last Friday, there was a renewed sense of optimism among some Nigerians and stakeholders who sat in the halls of the Nigerian Independent System Operator’s (NISO) maiden management retreat for 2025.
Speaking at the gathering, Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to ensuring a stable and adequate power supply. He noted that the goal of ensuring stable electricity has for long eluded Nigeria for decades but one he insists is now being pursued “differently.”
Adelabu, who addressed participants on Friday, said the government’s approach to power sector reform has fundamentally shifted since the current administration took office. According to him, the birth of NISO is a key demonstration of this new direction.
“The creation of the Nigerian Independent System Operator itself is something that government is doing differently,” he said. “It is to ensure grid stabilization, reduce power outages, and make sure every Nigerian has access to electricity.”
He described the retreat as more than a meeting—it was a platform for rethinking old strategies and adopting fresh solutions. “This maiden edition of NISO retreat is an avenue for them to dialogue and ensure they are doing things differently, unlike the way it was done before,” he added. “We are here to support them to ensure they succeed and to make sure the country gets adequate and stable power supply.”
For NISO’s leadership, the retreat was equally a moment of reflection and recognition. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, chairman of the board, praised the organisation’s staff for their commitment, noting that their dedication recently culminated in one of the most significant milestones in Nigeria’s power sector—successful grid synchronisation with the West African Power Pool (WAPP).
“From the very beginning, NISO has been about people: the men and women who keep the grid stable, who ensure the market runs fairly, and who represent Nigeria with excellence in regional and international cooperation,” he said.
Their efforts paid off when, for the first time, Nigeria’s grid—alongside those of Niger, parts of Benin, and Togo—operated at a single frequency with the rest of West Africa, stretching as far as Mauritania. The unified system ran seamlessly for four uninterrupted hours, proving that greater regional integration is possible.
Akin-Olugbade attributed this milestone to strengthened coordination, transparent communication, and the professionalism of the system operators. These, he said, are gradually placing NISO among the most credible institutions in the Nigerian power landscape.
For Abdul Mohammed, NISO’s managing director, the organisation’s role is both complementary and catalytic. He explained that NISO was created to help close the investment gap that has long hindered the power sector.
“The power business is extremely capital-intensive,” Mohammed said. “If you look at other jurisdictions where power works, you’ll see how much they invest annually—huge sums. We haven’t invested nearly as much as we should to make the grid reliably functional. That is why NISO has been created.”
By enabling more private-sector participation and optimising existing infrastructure, he believes the organisation will help unlock the progress Nigeria desperately needs.
“We are doing everything possible to optimise existing investments so there will be improvement going forward,” he assured.
As discussions wrapped up in Uyo, one thing became clear: the journey toward reliable electricity is far from over. But with new structures, renewed political will, and a regional network now in closer alignment, stakeholders say the country may finally be edging closer to the long-promised era of stable power.