The newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigerian Independent System Operator, Abdu Mohammed, has announced plans to work with industry operators to improve coordination in generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity, ensuring it meets regulations and benefits Nigerian consumers.
He also vowed to coordinate the interfaces with the operators according to the rules for the benefit of industry customers.
Speaking to journalists after the inauguration of the board and management in Abuja, on Tuesday, Mohammed assured that the Independent System Operator will create a transparent, disciplined, and orderly environment for the country’s electricity sector.
Earlier on Tuesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima had directed the members of the NISO Board of Directors to uphold the highest standards of integrity and expertise and ensure the seamless generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity across Nigeria.
Aligning with the directive, the MD explained that the operator will provide the changes the system has been yearning for that will guarantee availability, reliability, and quality power supply to the citizenry.
He said the expectation means the participants must behave in accordance with the dictates of the market rules and grid code.
“Our major role in the power industry is to bring the needed changes in the system that will enhance availability, reliability, and quality of supply of electricity to Nigerians. In addition to that, we are supposed to create an atmosphere, an environment of transparency, discipline, and orderliness in the electricity business in Nigeria, meaning that participants in generation, transmission, distribution, and eligible customers behave passionately in line with the provisions of the market rules and the grid code”, Mohammed stated.
He also announced his intention to visit the National Control Centre in Oshogbo today, (Wednesday) as part of these efforts.
He said the visit is aimed at ensuring that operators align with the vision, mission, objectives, and goals outlined in the Electricity Act 2023. He emphasised his commitment to driving compliance and operational efficiency across the sector.
“We begin today, and we are going to set the ground running. We hit the ground running. Tomorrow (Wednesday), we’re going to Oshogbo, the National Control Center, to make sure that our operators are aligned to our vision, mission, objectives, and goals as enshrined in the Electricity Act 2023″, he added.
The operators include the electricity Generation Companies, electricity Distribution Companies, Transmission Service providers and the eligible customers.
The NISO boss further said, “Furthermore, we are going to have interfaces with generation companies, with the TSP, Transmission Service Provider, with the distribution companies, and with eligible customers.
“Those interfaces must be coordinated well, managed well, to make sure that the generation of electricity, transmission of electricity, distribution, and utilisation of electricity are in line with the rules and are in favor of the numerous Nigerian customers.”
He added that the amended EA 2023 made provision for the establishment of the NISO. According to him, the management team assumed its job immediately in line with the law.
He said, “So, going by the law, the NISO has been inaugurated today by His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima. We have been inaugurated this afternoon, and we have assumed the job role as described by the EA 2023.”
He pledged that the NISO board of management will usher in the aforementioned qualities to make the power sector tick as obtainable in stronger electricity industries.
He said, “The coming on board of the NISO Board of Management will usher in these qualities that are required to make the power sector tick, just like other power sectors in bigger jurisdictions. Now it’s a journey. It is not a one-off business. The beginning of the journey starts today.”
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in March 2025, announced the appointment of the executive and non-executive members of the NISO.
The 11-member board, chaired by legal and financial expert Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, is tasked with overseeing the operational and market independence of NISO, which will now manage critical aspects of Nigeria’s electricity supply chain, including grid stability, system operations, power dispatch, and market coordination.
Other members of the board include Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed (Managing Director), Engr. Nafisatu Asabe Ali (Executive Director, System Operation), Engr. Shehu Abba-Aliyu (Executive Director, System Planning), Dr. Edmund Eje (Executive Director, Market Operation), and Mr. Babajide Ibironke (Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services).
Non-executive directors include Engr. Lamu Audu, Mrs. Folake Soetan, Mr. Tajudeen Giwa-Osagie, Mr. Mahmuda Mamman (Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power), and Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz (MD/CEO, Transmission Company of Nigeria).
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