The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has officially handed over a temporary National Control Centre in Abuja to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO). This move, announced on Thursday by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, aims to significantly improve electricity grid management and overall system reliability across Nigeria.

The facility, situated at the Gwagwalada 330kV Transmission Substation, was handed over on June 30. It is equipped with the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management System (SCADA-EMS) and essential telecommunications infrastructure, enabling real-time monitoring and operation of the national grid.

Sule Abdulaziz, TCN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, represented by Amini Tahir, General Manager, Project Coordination, described the project as a major milestone. He stated that its completion marks the beginning of a new phase in national grid management efforts.

Abdulaziz explained that the building was designed as temporary accommodation for the newly acquired SCADA-EMS and telecommunications systems, along with a dedicated team of operational staff. It will function as NISO’s temporary operational base, allowing the organisation to oversee grid operations more efficiently and reliably until the permanent National Control Centre becomes operational.

He added that NISO would assume responsibility for operating and maintaining the facility. Abdulaziz also acknowledged the World Bank for its support of the project, reaffirming TCN’s commitment to collaboration and innovation within the power sector.

Abdu Mohammed Bello, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NISO, represented by Kabir Adamu, General Manager, System Planning, described the handover as a critical step. He emphasized the importance of SCADA-EMS for grid operations, noting that the control room provides NISO with the necessary environment to commence the operationalization of the SCADA/EMS project at this stage of its deployment.

NISO pledged to manage the facility effectively to support efficient grid operations. TCN’s Project Manager, Samuel Fakinlade, confirmed that the equipment and personnel currently housed in the temporary facility would be relocated to the permanent National Control Centre upon its completion, after which the building would revert to TCN.