 Limited at the State House in Abuja){kind=link}
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday inaugurated the Board of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) Limited at the State House in Abuja, marking a significant step in the Federal Government’s efforts to restructure and enhance Nigeria’s electricity sector under the Electricity Act 2023.
The newly appointed 11-member board is chaired by legal and financial expert Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade. The board is responsible for ensuring the operational and market independence of NISO, which will oversee key functions in the electricity supply chain such as grid stability, system operations, power dispatch, and market coordination.
Board members include Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed (Managing Director), Engr. Nafisatu Asabe Ali (Executive Director, System Operation), Engr. Shehu Abba-Aliyu (Executive Director, System Planning), Dr. Edmund Eje (Executive Director, Market Operation), and Mr. Babajide Ibironke (Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services).
Non-executive members are Engr. Lamu Audu, Mrs. Folake Soetan, Mr. Tajudeen Giwa-Osagie, Mr. Mahmuda Mamman (Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power), and Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz (MD/CEO, Transmission Company of Nigeria).
In his welcome remarks, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, described the inauguration as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s ongoing power sector reforms. He said it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the broader vision of achieving an efficient, reliable, and competitive electricity market.
“NISO represents a pivotal landmark in Nigeria’s electricity industry reform journey. It serves as a crucial pillar in Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) by ensuring that the System Operator and Market Operator function independently and transparently, fostering efficiency and boosting investor confidence,” Gbeleyi stated.
He highlighted the process that led to the formation of the board, noting that the appointments were made in accordance with Section 30(5) of the Electricity Act 2023. This section mandates the creation of an Independent Board Nomination Committee (IBNC) composed of experienced professionals.
Gbeleyi said the Bureau secured the approval of Vice President Shettima, who also chairs the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), for the formation of the IBNC. The committee, inaugurated on August 1, 2024, conducted a transparent and competitive selection process.
Over 500 applications were received following a national advertisement, and 51 candidates were shortlisted for interviews. Both executive and non-executive candidates underwent a rigorous vetting process, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) “Fit and Proper Test.”
For non-executive roles, a restrictive selection method was used, based on guidelines and merit-based criteria developed with NERC. Final selections were made with attention to diversity, Federal Character, and legal requirements.
Gbeleyi commended President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their leadership and commitment to reform. He also acknowledged contributions from the Minister of Power, NERC, MOFI, TCN, generation and distribution companies, and private sector partners.
Addressing the new board, Gbeleyi said: “I congratulate you on your eminently deserved appointments and urge you to serve with diligence, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. The success of NISO will no doubt play a crucial role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s power sector.”
With NISO’s leadership now formally in place, stakeholders are optimistic that the reforms will usher in a new era for Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure—marked by transparency, operational autonomy, and renewed investor confidence.