NITDA, NISO Partner to Drive Digital Transformation in Power Sector
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NITDA, NISO Partner to Drive Digital Transformation in Power Sector
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has announced plans to collaborate with the Nigerian Independent System Operator, NISO to accelerate digital transformation in the country’s electricity sector and strengthen infrastructure supporting Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this during a strategic meeting between both organisations, stressing that reliable electricity remains a critical enabler of digital innovation, economic growth and national development.
According to a statement obtained by INCNews247, Inuwa said the increasing adoption of digital technologies by businesses and institutions has made stable power supply indispensable for sustaining technological advancement and digital services.
He commended NISO for integrating technology into its operations from inception, describing the organisation as forward-looking and well-positioned to deliver long-term value to the electricity industry.
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Inuwa noted that the rapid global expansion of data centres, artificial intelligence and other digital infrastructure has heightened the importance of reliable electricity in attracting investment.
He said Nigeria could derive significant benefits from the growing digital economy by improving electricity reliability and deploying technology to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability across the power value chain.
“Technology has become the backbone of modern development. By embracing digitalisation, organisations can improve operational efficiency, strengthen service delivery and unlock new opportunities for growth,” he said.
The NITDA boss added that the agency’s mandate extends beyond information technology regulation, noting that it has supported digital transformation initiatives in several public institutions, including the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
He said NITDA was prepared to provide similar support to NISO and proposed the establishment of a joint technical team to identify priority projects and develop a framework for implementation.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Abdu Bello Mohammed, described the engagement as a major step towards building a technology-enabled electricity management system.
Mohammed explained that NISO was established following the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria and is responsible for system operations, electricity market administration and power system planning, while the Transmission Service Provider manages transmission infrastructure.
He said the organisation plays a pivotal role in coordinating Nigeria’s electricity network by ensuring the efficient flow of power from generation companies through the transmission network to distribution companies while maintaining grid stability.
As part of efforts to improve operational efficiency, Mohammed revealed that NISO had commenced the deployment of Internet of Things-enabled meters at strategic points across the electricity value chain.
According to him, the initiative will provide real-time operational data from generation, transmission and distribution interfaces pending the completion of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management System project.
He added that access to real-time data would strengthen decision-making, improve grid management and enhance the reliability of the national electricity system.
Mohammed expressed confidence that the partnership with NITDA would provide the expertise and insights required to advance NISO’s digitalisation agenda.
