OSOGBO, Nigeria — The Federal Government has commenced construction of a new ultra-modern National Control Centre (NCC) for the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Osogbo, Osun State, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity grid and improve the management of a rapidly evolving power system.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said the new facility will replace the existing control centre, which has served the country for 64 years but is no longer adequate for the growing operational demands of Nigeria’s electricity network.
Shettima said the expansion of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power, presents significant opportunities to increase electricity supply but will require stronger system-management capabilities.
“The integration of renewable energy resources will create opportunities for expanding electricity supply, but it will also require stronger system-management capabilities,” Shettima said.
He explained that renewable generation has operational characteristics that require continuous monitoring and coordination, making modern grid-control infrastructure essential to maintaining system stability.
According to the Vice President, a modern system operator must have the technology, tools and expertise required to integrate new sources of electricity generation while maintaining the security and reliability of the national grid.
“The new NCC will provide part of that capability,” he said.
Regional Power Trade
Shettima also highlighted the regional importance of the project, noting that Nigeria’s participation in the West African Power Pool (WAPP) will require stronger national grid-management capabilities.
He said regional electricity integration could allow countries to utilise generation resources more efficiently and expand cross-border electricity trading, but would also increase the responsibilities of national system operators.
“Nigeria must be able to maintain the security of its domestic grid while participating effectively in an interconnected regional system,” Shettima said.
The new control centre, he added, would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to meet that responsibility.
Once completed, equipped, tested and commissioned, the facility is expected to improve the ability of electricity operators to detect and respond to disturbances before they escalate into wider grid failures.
It will also enhance coordination during the restoration of electricity following disruptions and support the integration of renewable energy into Nigeria’s power system.
The project is therefore positioned not only as an infrastructure upgrade but as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s transition towards a more modern, interconnected and renewable-ready electricity system.
The development comes amid ongoing efforts to improve the reliability of Nigeria’s power supply, strengthen grid infrastructure and create the operational capacity required to accommodate new generation sources and deeper regional electricity integration.
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