VP Shettima urges new NISO Board to drive urgent power sector reforms
By Kunle Sanni
Vice President Kashim Shettima has tasked members of the newly inaugurated Board of Directors of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) Limited to urgently address the challenges plaguing Nigeria’s electricity supply and national grid.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is fully committed to reforming the power sector and expects the board to drive rapid, visible improvements.
“The Tinubu administration remains steadfast in its commitment to building a resilient, transparent, and investment-friendly power sector,” the Vice President said. “The establishment of NISO is a bold step toward realizing that vision.”
He called on the board to demonstrate integrity and professionalism in executing their duties, noting that their leadership would be key to ensuring stable and reliable power transmission across the country. Shettima also underscored the urgency of stabilizing the national grid and improving efficiency in market operations.
The Vice President explained that NISO, which now oversees both system operations and market operations, plays a central role in ensuring the reliability and security of the national electricity grid.
He clarified that while the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) will transfer operational functions to NISO, it will retain its transmission service provider license and focus on grid infrastructure.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, also spoke at the event, stressing that NISO’s performance would directly impact the efficiency and quality of electricity service delivery nationwide. He outlined key responsibilities for the new board, including real-time coordination of power generation, energy dispatch, grid stability, and market discipline.
Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Engr. Sanusi Garba, reiterated the administration’s support for NISO, describing its creation as a transformative step toward a more efficient and accountable power sector.
