The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is taking decisive steps to end the nation’s recurring grid collapses and restore stability to the electricity network.
Adelabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Muhammadu Mamman, made the remarks on Friday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the maiden retreat of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) with the theme, “NISO on the Move.”
He stated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu began, from day one, to approach power sector challenges differently, leading to the creation of NISO as a major reform instrument targeted at stabilising the grid and reducing nationwide outages.
“Since the commencement of this administration, things have been done differently. The creation of NISO itself is a new approach to ensure grid stabilization, reduce power outages, and guarantee access to electricity for all Nigerians,” he said.
He added that the retreat offers an opportunity for dialogue and fresh strategies to correct long-standing system weaknesses.
Nigeria has suffered repeated grid collapses over the years due to ageing infrastructure, insufficient investment, poor maintenance, system vandalism, and weak operational coordination. These failures have caused widespread blackouts, crippling businesses and forcing millions of households to depend on costly alternative power sources.
WAPP Synchronisation a Major Milestone — NISO Board Chair
The Chairman of NISO’s Board of Directors, Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, praised the dedication of NISO personnel, noting that their efforts recently achieved the successful synchronisation of Nigeria’s grid with the West African Power Pool (WAPP).
According to him, the synchronisation — involving Nigeria, Niger, and parts of Benin and Togo — saw the system run seamlessly at a single frequency for four uninterrupted hours, an achievement once considered impossible.
“From the very beginning, NISO has been about people — the men and women who keep the grid stable and ensure fair market operations,” he said. “It is your professionalism that has positioned NISO as a credible and forward-looking institution in the Nigerian power sector.”
Power Sector Underfunded — NISO MD
The Managing Director of NISO, Abdul Mohammed, highlighted the chronic underfunding of the power sector as a major reason for Nigeria’s unstable electricity supply. He stressed that the energy industry is capital-intensive, and government spending has not matched global benchmarks required for reliable grid operations.
“We have not invested as much as we should to make the grid reliable,” he said. “This is why NISO was created — to complement government efforts by attracting private-sector investment and optimizing existing infrastructure.”
Akwa Ibom Commends NISO’s Commitment
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, represented by Commissioner for Power, Iniobong Robson, applauded NISO for its discipline and clarity of purpose since its establishment. He expressed confidence that the organization will continue to drive progress in Nigeria’s power sector.
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