Stakeholders’ Engagement Opens In Abuja To Clarify NISO’s Technical Mandate

CHIDI UGWU

Stakeholders from across Nigeria convened in Abuja Wednesday to engage in a critical dialogue aimed at clarifying the technical mandate of the Nigeria Institute of Safety Professionals (NISO).

The event graced by key industry and government figures including the Ministers of Power and Finance, Chairman of NISO’s Board of Directors, NERC Chairman, and heads of critical sector agencies, seeks to address key operational roles and enhance understanding of NISO’s function in advancing safety standards nationwide.

Engr. A. B. Mohammed, NISO’s Managing Director/CEO, in his opening remarks, emphasized the forum’s theme, “Building a Resilient and Competitive Electricity Market – The Role of NISO,” highlighting the organization’s mandate as an independent, neutral operator entrusted with ensuring non-discriminatory transmission access, transparent system operations, and market administration.

He underlined NISO’s role as the impartial referee enforcing rules that support a competitive and efficient power sector where consumer welfare and investor confidence are paramount.

The forum comes at a transformational time for Nigeria’s power sector, driven by decentralization, state electricity markets, and heightened expectations for operational excellence.

Engr. Mohammed reiterated NISO’s commitment to transparency, neutrality, operational discipline, and stakeholder engagement as cornerstones for building trust and resilience in the electricity market.

A notable highlight celebrated was the recent successful synchronization trial linking Nigeria’s national grid with the West African Power Pool (WAPP), marking the first stable regional power synchronization.

Electricity flowed seamlessly from Nigeria and Niger to multiple West African countries for four continuous hours, positioning Nigeria as a regional power hub.

This feat was lauded as a product of strengthened coordination, operational discipline, and institutional collaboration, paving the way for expanded electricity trading, enhanced foreign exchange earnings, and increased investor confidence.

“Throughout the two-day engagement, participants aim to clarify NISO’s technical mandate, address grid and market vulnerabilities, discuss resilience mechanisms, and build consensus on reforms to enhance market confidence and performance” emphasized the NISO boss.

The forum serves as a call to all stakeholders—including regulators, generators, transmission operators, distributors, government agencies, and development partners—to deepen cooperation and collective commitment towards a transparent, accountable, and investor-friendly electricity market.

Engr. Mohammed expressed gratitude to the power sector’s stakeholders for their collaboration, urging renewed dedication to operational excellence and reform implementation.

He stressed that the future success of Nigeria’s electricity market hinges on shared responsibility and trust, with NISO leading the charge as a professional, integrity-driven institution committed to transforming the Nigerian power sector into a global example of transparency and competitiveness.