Oredola Adeola
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has handed over the SCADA/EMS control room extension at the Gwagwalada 330kV substation to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) as an interim national control centre, bolstering grid management capacity pending completion of the permanent NCC facility.
The interim facility, designated as a temporary National Control Centre (NCC) in Abuja, is expected to enhance real-time grid coordination and operational efficiency as Nigeria moves to strengthen electricity system management.
The handover ceremony was conducted by Engr. Amini Tahir, represented by the General Manager, Project Coordination, on behalf of TCN’s Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, alongside NISO’s General Manager, System Planning, Engr. Kabir Adamu, who represented its Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Abdu Mohammed Bello.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, described the occasion as a defining moment for the company and a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity transmission infrastructure.
He noted that the completion of the facility marks not just the end of a construction project, but the beginning of a new phase in grid management and national power coordination.
According to him, the building was initially designed as temporary accommodation for the newly deployed SCADA/EMS and telecommunications systems, along with a dedicated team of operational staff.
“It will now serve as a temporary operational base for the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), enabling the organisation to oversee grid operations more efficiently and reliably until the permanent National Control Centre (NCC) becomes operational,” he said.
Abdulaziz added that with the handover, NISO will assume full responsibility for operating and maintaining the facility.
“We hand over this facility to NISO because we believe it is key to better grid management, improved system reliability, and enhanced service delivery for Nigerians. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger and more resilient grid,” he stated.
He also expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its sustained support throughout the project, reaffirming TCN’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and service excellence as the facility begins operations under NISO ahead of the commissioning of the permanent NCC in Gwagwalada.
In his acceptance remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engr. Abdu Mohammed Bello, who was represented by the General Manager, System Planning, Engr. Kabir Adamu, commended TCN for delivering the project and described the handover as more than an infrastructure transfer.
He characterised it as a critical step toward strengthening the operational capacity of Nigeria’s electricity grid.
“We all recognise the importance of SCADA/EMS in modern grid operations. This control room provides NISO with the environment required to commence the operationalisation of the SCADA/EMS project at this stage of its deployment,” he said.
He assured that NISO would manage the facility responsibly to support efficient grid operations and pledged continued collaboration to advance the country’s power sector.
Earlier, TCN’s Project Manager, Engr. Samuel Fakinlade, explained that upon completion of the permanent NCC building, the equipment and personnel currently housed in the facility will be relocated, after which the building will revert to TCN.
The facility houses the newly installed SCADA/EMS and telecommunications systems designed to support real-time grid management and system operations. It will serve as an interim control centre pending the completion of the permanent NCC building.
