NISO MD Proposes Technical Working Group to Deepen Collaboration with States

NISO MD Proposes Technical Working Group to Deepen Collaboration with States

By Our Reporter

Abuja (Core Reporters) – The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has proposed the establishment of a NISO–State Technical Working Group to strengthen collaboration with state stakeholders and accelerate the development of an integrated electricity market under the Electricity Act 2023.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, made the proposal on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during a presentation at the National Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023, held at the State House Auditorium, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mohammed also proposed an annual energy planning summit involving NISO and state governments to assess available energy resources, forecast electricity demand and improve coordination in the development of Nigeria’s evolving electricity market.

He emphasised the need for harmonised technical standards, effective data sharing and stronger coordination between state electricity markets and the interconnected national grid to ensure the reliable and efficient operation of the country’s power system.

Other proposals presented by the NISO chief executive included the development of a national state coordination framework, the institutionalisation of integrated energy planning and the adoption of a phased implementation roadmap to guide collaboration between the national system operator and state electricity market institutions.

According to him, these measures would help align electricity market development across the federation while ensuring that emerging state electricity markets operate effectively within the broader national power system.

He clarified that the proposed framework was not intended to centralise electricity markets but to establish effective coordination mechanisms that would promote system reliability, operational efficiency and seamless interaction between the various electricity markets.

The proposals come amid the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which provides a framework for greater participation by subnational governments in electricity generation, transmission, distribution and regulation, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

The proposed NISO–State Technical Working Group and annual energy planning summit are expected to provide platforms for sustained engagement, joint planning and technical cooperation between NISO and state stakeholders as Nigeria continues to develop its electricity market.