Nigeria’s power sector is pivoting to real-time monitoring, with the regulator, the, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), pushing distribution companies to upgrade how electricity flows are tracked and managed across the grid.
NERC has directed DisCos to deploy Internet of Things (IoT) meters on key 33kV and 11kV feeders, a move aimed at eliminating blind spots in data collection and boosting transparency in energy accounting.
At the same time, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) says it is ramping up enforcement on power generators to stabilise the grid, warning that non-compliance with critical operational standards will no longer be tolerated.
Speaking in Abuja, NISO Managing Director, Abdu Bello, said the new metering push will plug directly into the ongoing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Energy Management System (EMS), enabling operators to monitor electricity flows nationwide in real time.
The shift, he explained, marks a transition to a data-driven grid where decisions are guided by live system intelligence rather than estimates.
“This will tremendously enhance our efficiency and effectiveness in managing the grid,” Bello said, noting that the initiative is central to building a more reliable and responsive electricity network. Beyond metering, the system operator is zeroing in on one of the grid’s longstanding weaknesses, poor frequency control.
Bello disclosed that NISO is intensifying efforts to ensure full compliance with the “free governor mode” operation among generation companies, a mechanism designed to automatically stabilise system frequency during fluctuations.
While some progress has been recorded, he expressed concern that not all generators have aligned with the directive, warning that enforcement measures are imminent.
According to him, improved compliance has already led to noticeable gains in frequency stability, a key factor in reducing grid disturbances and nationwide outages.
“We are working closely with all stakeholders, generation, transmission and distribution, to advance implementation. This will significantly curtail system disturbances and grid collapses,” he said.
NISO is also tackling deeper structural issues within the grid, particularly the lack of coordination in protection systems. Bello revealed that inconsistent relay settings across the network have contributed to avoidable disruptions.
To address this, the operator has launched a nationwide protection coordination project and is preparing to engage technical experts to harmonise system settings. The initiative is expected to be completed within three to six months.
Another major reform under consideration is the segmentation of the national grid into smaller “islands.” This approach would ensure that faults in one section do not cascade across the entire network, a common trigger for widespread blackouts.
By isolating disturbances, the system can maintain stability in unaffected areas, significantly improving overall reliability.
Taken together, the reforms signal a more assertive regulatory stance and a shift toward smarter grid management, one that relies on technology, stricter compliance, and coordinated operations to keep Nigeria’s fragile power system running.
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