Vice-President Kashim Shettima performed the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, represented by his Special Adviser on Legal and Compliance Matters, Alhaji Bashir Maidugu. The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, also attended the ceremony.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Adeola Labzy, the project is part of the government’s efforts to address weaknesses in the electricity system and improve the reliability of the national grid.
“The Federal Government has begun construction of a new ultra-modern National Control Centre for the Nigerian Independent System Operator in Osogbo, Osun State, replacing a 64-year-old facility that no longer meets the demands of running Nigeria’s grid,” the statement said.
Speaking through his representative, Shettima said reliable electricity remained central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing power supply as essential to economic growth, industrial productivity and social development.
He said dependable electricity allowed manufacturers to plan production, enabled small businesses to operate more efficiently and supported the effective running of hospitals and schools, while contributing to job creation and wider economic opportunities.
Shettima described the National Control Centre as a critical component of grid reliability, saying Nigeria required modern infrastructure to manage its increasingly interconnected electricity system.
He said the country could not operate a modern electricity grid effectively with outdated equipment and systems.
According to the Vice-President, the new facility will feature modern Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, large-format control displays, communications infrastructure, data systems and enhanced security arrangements.
He said the facility would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to maintain the security of its domestic grid while supporting its participation in an interconnected regional electricity system.
Shettima also highlighted the changing nature of electricity generation, saying Nigeria’s future energy mix would increasingly include renewable sources.
“The integration of renewable energy resources will create opportunities for expanding electricity supply, but it will also require stronger system-management capabilities,” he said.
He noted that solar and wind generation had operational characteristics that required careful monitoring and coordination, adding that a modern system operator needed the tools and expertise to integrate new generation sources while maintaining grid stability.
Shettima said regional electricity integration also presented opportunities for more efficient use of generation resources and increased electricity trade, but would place greater responsibilities on national system operators.
He stressed the need for continued investment in the professional knowledge and capacity of personnel responsible for operating the national grid.
Project details
Tegbe said the existing control centre, constructed 64 years ago, could no longer meet the demands of NISO’s current responsibilities.
He said the new main building would comprise a basement, ground floor and first floor, providing operational, technical and support facilities.
“The main building will comprise a basement, ground floor and first floor, accommodating operational, technical and support functions. A dedicated powerhouse will support continuous operation of critical systems,” Tegbe said.
The project will also include a security and screening building, external works and underground electrical and fibre-optic connections to provide reliable power and communications.
Tegbe said the facility would provide the infrastructure required for modern grid monitoring and control.
Integrated SCADA systems and large-format displays would provide operators with more timely information about grid conditions, while improved monitoring and analytics would help identify developing faults, support preventive maintenance and inform decisions on available generation and transmission capacity.
“Once equipped, tested and commissioned, the centre will strengthen coordination across the electricity industry,” he said.
According to the minister, the facility would enable operators to respond more quickly to disturbances, coordinate restoration efforts and support the integration of renewable energy into the national grid.
It would also assist Nigeria’s operational coordination within the West African Power Pool.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Abdu Bello Mohammed, said the project would enhance the operator’s ability to monitor the national grid, coordinate system operations and make faster, better-informed decisions during disturbances.
The National Control Centre plays a central role in monitoring electricity flows and coordinating operations across Nigeria’s power system. Disruptions affecting generation, transmission or system frequency can spread across the grid if they are not detected and managed promptly.
