The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and the Canadian High Commission have identified strategic areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electricity sector through capacity development, technology transfer, renewable energy integration, digital transformation and investment in critical power infrastructure.

The commitment was made during a visit by the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, David Sproule, who led a delegation to the NISO headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking during the meeting, the Managing Director of NISO, Abdu Mohammed, said the system operator is driving the modernisation of Nigeria’s electricity industry through a range of digital transformation initiatives designed to improve grid reliability, operational efficiency and electricity market performance.

He disclosed that NISO is implementing key technologies, including the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System and the Energy Management System (EMS), while also developing advanced electricity market trading platforms.

According to him, the organisation is deploying telemetry systems and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to enable more efficient electricity market operations, improve system visibility and enhance real-time monitoring of the national grid.
Mohammed also highlighted NISO’s strategic responsibility in planning and evaluating national grid expansion projects.

He noted that the organisation is identifying priority investments to strengthen the transmission network, facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources into the national grid and promoting private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to accelerate transmission infrastructure development.

He identified capacity development, technical exchange programmes, renewable energy integration, battery energy storage systems, digital grid technologies, research, innovation and investment as priority areas where Canada and NISO could establish mutually beneficial partnerships.

According to him, collaboration in these areas would support Nigeria’s efforts to build a more resilient, efficient and sustainable electricity sector capable of meeting growing energy demand.

In his remarks, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, David Sproule, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy transition and the modernisation of its power sector.

Sproule said Canada is prepared to leverage its expertise in electricity system management, renewable energy integration, energy storage technologies, cybersecurity and electricity market operations to support NISO’s mandate and Nigeria’s broader power sector reforms.

The discussions underscored the shared commitment of both parties to deepen bilateral cooperation in advancing a modern, reliable and sustainable electricity system through knowledge exchange, technical collaboration and strategic investment.