The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has commenced the second phase of its capacity development programme for system operators as part of efforts to strengthen the safe and reliable operation of Nigeria’s national electricity grid.
The programme is focused on improving the technical competence and operational readiness of personnel responsible for managing the grid in real time.
Speaking at the commencement of the training, NISO Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, said continuous capacity development was essential to equipping system operators to manage the growing complexities of the electricity system.
Mohammed said NISO’s role as an independent system operator required technical competence, sound judgement, discipline, teamwork and a strong commitment to safety.
He urged participants to deepen their understanding of the Grid Code, describing it as a fundamental standard guiding the responsibilities of system operators.
The NISO boss said the training would also help promote a common operational culture based on professionalism, integrity, neutrality, reliability and continuous improvement.
The programme covers critical areas of system operations, including Grid Code compliance, real-time grid management, voltage and frequency control, outage management, power-flow monitoring, generation and load balancing, emergency response and coordination among control rooms.
Executive Director, System Operations, NISO, Engr. Nafisatu Ali, said system operators play a critical role in independently monitoring, coordinating and managing the national grid to ensure safe, secure and economical electricity delivery.
Ali said their responsibilities include coordinating generation and power flows, load allocation, outage management, emergency response and maintenance planning.
She urged the participants to strengthen their knowledge of voltage and frequency control, power-flow monitoring and real-time balancing of generation and load.
Ali also encouraged operators to study system disturbances and near misses, describing such incidents as opportunities to improve operational knowledge and reduce the risk of future occurrences.
Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, NISO, Babajide Ibironke, said the programme was expected to deliver measurable value to both participants and the organisation.
He disclosed that participants would be required to share the knowledge acquired with their respective teams as part of NISO’s knowledge-sharing policy.
NISO said the capacity development programme forms part of its broader efforts to build the human capacity required to support the safe, reliable and efficient operation of Nigeria’s evolving electricity system.