FG begins construction of new national grid control centre in Osogbo

The Federal Government has begun construction of a new ultra-modern National Control Centre for the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Osogbo, Osun State, replacing a 64-year-old facility that no longer meets the demands of running Nigeria’s grid.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the new National Control Centre of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Osogbo was performed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, supported by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.

In his remarks, the Vice President, represented by the Senior Special Assistant (Legal), Office of the Vice President, Bashir Maidugu, said reliable electricity is central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He described power as the foundation of an economy that works, enabling manufacturers to plan production, small businesses to operate with confidence and hospitals and schools to function, as well as creating jobs and wider economic opportunity.

The National Control Centre, he said, is where that reliability is protected, and Nigeria cannot run a modern, interconnected grid with the tools of yesterday.

According to him, “The establishment of the Nigerian Independent System Operator is an important part of this institutional evolution.

“The separation of System Operation from transmission asset ownership and management creates an environment in which the System Operator can focus on its core responsibility: ensuring the secure and coordinated operation of the electricity system.

“But institutional independence must be matched by institutional capacity, that is where this project becomes important.

“The future of electricity-system management cannot be built solely around responding to problems after they occur. We must increasingly develop the capacity to anticipate risks, identify emerging conditions and take preventive action.

Speaking, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the construction of a new ultra-modern National Control Centre in Osogbo, Osun State, will strengthen Nigeria’s electricity grid stability and improve the reliability of power supply across the country.

He said the new facility would provide NISO with modern tools to monitor the national grid, balance electricity supply and demand, detect emerging faults and coordinate responses to disturbances.

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He described the project as part of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address structural weaknesses in the power sector and improve electricity supply to Nigerians.

Tegbe explained that the National Control Centre was an integral part of the country’s power infrastructure, as generation plants and transmission lines depended on effective coordination to deliver electricity safely.

According to the minister, “Today’s groundbreaking in Osogbo advances a fundamental requirement for reliable electricity through the capacity to know what is happening across the national grid and respond promptly.

“The New Ultra-Modern National Control Centre will equip the Nigerian Independent System Operator, NISO, to perform that task more effectively. It is a concrete expression of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s determination to address the underlying weaknesses affecting electricity supply and deliver better results for Nigerians.

“It is worthy of note that the existing Centre was built 64 years ago and consequently does not meet the current demands of NISO’s responsibilities. This is another bold and audacious step of Mr President to reset the power sector.

“Osogbo has long served Nigeria as a centre of national grid operations, and this project, once again, strengthens that important responsibility.

“The National Control Centre is an integral part of our national power infrastructure. Generation plants and transmission lines depend on effective coordination to deliver electricity safely. Through NISO, the centre supports the continuous balancing of electricity supply and demand, monitors grid network conditions and coordinates responses to disturbances,” he added.