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

This was the discussion when the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engineer Abdu Mohammed, received the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, David Sproule and his delegation, who were on a visit to the NISO headquarters in Abuja.

Mohammed briefed the delegation on the organisation’s mandate, its establishment under the Electricity Act 2023, sailing NISO is in charge of system operations, market operations and system planning as well as and also the administration enforcement of the Nigerian electricity market rules, grid code, metering code and other regulatory directives issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The NISO boss described the visit as a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Canada, saying it underscored the shared commitment of both countries in promoting technical cooperation, trade, innovation and sustainable development within the energy sector.

He said NISO is driving the modernisation of Nigeria’s electricity industry through the digital transformation initiatives, which include the implementation of Supervisory Control Data Acquisition (SCDA) System, Energy Management System (EMS), development of advanced electricity market trading platforms and the deployment of telemetry and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to facilitate more efficient electricity market operations.

He also informed the delegation about NISO’s strategic role in planning and evaluating national grid expansion projects, identifying priority investments, integrating renewable energy into the national grid and promoting private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to accelerate transmission infrastructure development.

According to Mohammed, his organisation and Canada can jointly establish mutually beneficial partnerships in areas such as capacity development, technical exchange programmes, renewable energy integration, battery energy storage systems, digital grid technologies, research, innovation and investment.

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He said: “As an emerging electricity market, we are keen to learn from Canada’s experience and leverage its expertise in modern electricity market operations, digital technologies and renewable energy integration. We believe this visit marks the beginning of a sustained partnership that will contribute to improving the reliability and stability of Nigeria’s national grid.”

The Canadian High Commissioner commended NISO’s strategic vision, expressing Canada’s readiness to support Nigeria’s energy transition and power sector modernisation by leveraging Canadian expertise in electricity system management, renewable energy integration, energy storage technologies, cyber security and electricity market operations.

“Canadian companies are globally recognised for operating complex electricity systems with high levels of renewable energy integration and remote grid management, adding that these capabilities align with NISO’s vision for a modern, digitally enabled electricity market.

“Canada is keen to support Nigeria’s energy transition and power sector modernisation. We welcome the opportunity to connect NISO with Canadian technology providers and Independent System Operators as we work together to strengthen collaboration and explore mutually beneficial opportunities,” the envoy stated.