Shettima Directs NISO Board to Fix National Grid Challenges
Vice President Kashim Shettima on April 8, 2025, directed the newly inaugurated Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) Limited Board to address Nigeria’s persistent national grid failures during a ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. With seven grid collapses in 2024 disrupting millions of lives, Shettima emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration expects NISO to deliver a stable, transparent power system to boost the economy and end chronic blackouts. The directive comes amid growing public frustration and economic pressures, spotlighting a critical test for Nigeria’s energy future.
Shettima’s Charge: A Mandate for Stability
Shettima told the NISO board, chaired by Dr. Adesegun Olugbade, to prioritize grid reliability and security, aligning with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “The president’s vision demands a power sector that works for all Nigerians,” he said, as reported by Vanguard. The board, including members like Uju Okoli and Jaafaru Mahmoud, was tasked with overseeing generation and distribution to prevent collapses that have plagued the nation. Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, present at the event, added that NISO’s role is pivotal for “service quality,” per Arise News. The urgency is clear: the grid’s failures are no longer tolerable.
Nigeria’s Power Crisis: A Grim Backdrop
The national grid, managed until recently by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), collapsed seven times in 2024, with the most recent in October cutting power to homes and businesses nationwide. TCN data shows a peak capacity of just 4,500 megawatts—far below the 40,000MW experts say Nigeria needs. Vandalism, aging equipment, and funding shortages have crippled the system, with 128 transmission towers destroyed in two years, according to Punch. “Businesses are dying,” said Lagos manufacturer Tunde Alabi to Daily Trust, reflecting losses estimated at N10 trillion in 2024 by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
NISO’s Role: A New Power Play
Created under the Electricity Act 2023, NISO takes over TCN’s System and Market Operator functions to streamline the power chain. Shettima highlighted its mission to ensure “stability and attract investment,” per Leadership. The board must coordinate with NERC, TCN, and distribution companies like EEDC to halt outages—like the 48-hour partial collapse on April 5—and modernize the grid. NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba called it “a transformative step” in a Punch statement, while Adelabu hinted at integrating mini-grids and renewables, signaling a broader strategy to meet demand.
Public Pulse: Hope Tangled with Doubt
Reaction on X, where #NISOGridFix reached 40,000 posts by April 9 noon PDT, shows a split mood. “Finally, a plan!” tweeted @EnergyHope, but @RealTalkNG countered, “Promises won’t light my shop.” Past efforts, like the Siemens deal’s unfulfilled 25,000MW goal, fuel skepticism. Yet, Shettima stressed accountability, urging the board to uphold “the highest standards,” per New Telegraph. With Trump’s 14% tariffs hitting exports and inflation soaring, a reliable grid could be an economic lifeline—a point Adelabu drove home: “Power is dignity for Nigerians.”
What’s Next: Action or Another Blackout?
The stakes are sky-high. Shettima’s directive aligns with Tinubu’s push to ease living costs—40% of SMEs cite outages as their top challenge, per NBS data. TCN retains transmission duties, but NISO’s oversight could shift the power paradigm if it delivers. “We’re watching closely,” said Jos resident Amina Yusuf to Blueprint. The board’s first moves—likely targeting April 5’s weak links—will signal whether this is a turning point or another stalled promise in Nigeria’s long power saga.
