The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to halt frequent national grid collapses and improve the reliability of electricity supply across the country.

Adelabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alh. Muhammadu Mamman, spoke in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday during the maiden retreat of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) themed “NISO on the Move.”

He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration began implementing reforms from inception to ensure grid stability and reduce persistent power outages.

According to him, the establishment of NISO is one of the new approaches adopted by the government to address long-standing structural challenges in the power sector. Nigeria has suffered repeated grid collapses due to ageing infrastructure, poor maintenance, inadequate funding, and vandalism, leading to widespread blackouts and increased reliance on generators by households and businesses.

“Since the commencement of this administration, things have been done differently,” Adelabu said. “The creation of NISO is part of government’s efforts to stabilise the grid, reduce outages, and ensure every Nigerian has access to electricity. This retreat provides an avenue for engagement and improved coordination.”

Chairman of NISO’s Board of Directors, Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, praised the agency’s staff, noting that their dedication enabled the successful synchronisation of the Nigerian power grid with the West African Power Pool (WAPP).

He described the achievement—four hours of uninterrupted unified frequency across Nigeria, Niger, parts of Benin, Togo, and extending to Mauritania—as a milestone once considered impossible.

Managing Director of NISO, Abdul Mohammed, explained that the agency was created to support government reforms by attracting private investment and enhancing efficiency in the power market. He lamented that despite huge investments, the sector still suffers because power infrastructure requires far more funding than has been committed over the years.

“The power business is extremely capital-intensive,” Mohammed said. “We haven’t spent as much as needed to make the grid fully reliable. NISO is here to complement government efforts by drawing private-sector investment and optimising existing resources.”

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, represented by Commissioner for Power, Iniobong Robson, commended NISO for its discipline and clarity of purpose, noting that the agency had recorded impressive progress since its establishment.