Nigeria power grid stability strengthens as Adelabu says Tinubu’s reforms and NISO creation aim to curb collapses and ensure reliable electricity

Nigeria power grid stability has gained renewed attention as the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is working relentlessly to end recurring grid collapses and restore reliability to the country’s electricity network.

Also read: Nigeria’s power grid fails again

Adelabu gave the assurance in Uyo on Friday while addressing journalists at the maiden 2025 retreat of the Nigerian Independent System Operator, themed “NISO on the Move.”

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muhammadu Mamman, the minister said the government began introducing fresh approaches from the start of the current administration, focusing on stabilising the grid and reducing the frequency of nationwide outages.

He explained that the establishment of NISO was a major step in this direction, designed to change old practices and create a stronger, more accountable system operator for the sector.

Nigeria has long grappled with frequent grid collapses caused by ageing infrastructure, insufficient funding, poor maintenance and vandalism.

The failures lead to widespread blackouts, harming the economy, affecting public life and forcing many households and businesses to depend on costly generators.

Adelabu said the government’s new strategy is already shaping the sector differently. He stressed that NISO’s maiden retreat offers an opportunity for deeper dialogue, improved coordination and a renewed commitment to doing things better than before.

According to him, the administration remains determined to ensure that every Nigerian enjoys improved and stable electricity supply.

The Chairman of NISO’s Board of Directors, Dr Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, praised the dedication of the organisation’s staff.

He noted that their professionalism led to a major milestone: the successful synchronisation of the Nigerian electricity grid with the West African Power Pool.

He described the achievement as proof of NISO’s growing credibility and its role as a forward-looking institution.

Akin-Olugbade said the four-hour synchronisation, which linked Nigeria, Niger and parts of Benin and Togo with the wider West African system operating at a single frequency, was an accomplishment many had believed impossible.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of NISO, Abdul Mohammed, said the organisation was created to attract private investment into the power sector and optimise the resources already available.

He explained that the power industry is extremely capital-intensive and that the level of funding committed to the grid over the years has been far below global benchmarks.

Mohammed said NISO is complementing government efforts by driving reforms that will help make the grid more reliable and stable.

He expressed confidence that improvements will become more visible as investments increase and systems are better managed.

Also read: ‘Blackout?’ National power grid collapses

Representing the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Commissioner for Power Iniobong Robson commended NISO for its progress, noting that the organisation has shown discipline and clarity of purpose since its establishment.