ABUJA, Nigeria — The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has handed over the temporary National Control Centre (NCC) in Gwagwalada, Abuja, to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to strengthen real-time management of the country’s electricity grid.
The facility, located within the Gwagwalada 330kV Transmission Substation, will serve as an interim National Control Centre pending the completion of the permanent NCC, also sited in Gwagwalada.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held on June 30, TCN Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, described the development as a major step toward improving grid coordination and operational efficiency nationwide.
“The building was designed as temporary accommodation for the newly acquired SCADA-EMS and telecommunications systems, along with a dedicated team of operational staff,” he said.
Represented by the General Manager, Project Coordination, Engr. Amini Tahir, he added that the facility marks the transition to a new phase in national grid management.
“With this handover, NISO will assume full responsibility for operating and maintaining the facility,” Abdulaziz said.
He stressed that the move is expected to enhance system reliability and electricity delivery across the country.
“We hand over this facility to NISO because we believe it is key to better grid management, improved system reliability, and better service delivery for Nigerians. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger and more resilient grid,” he added.
The TCN chief also acknowledged the World Bank’s support in the execution of the project, reaffirming the company’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure.
In his acceptance remarks, NISO Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Abdu Mohammed Bello, represented by the General Manager, System Planning, Engr. Kabir Adamu, described the Gwagwalada NCC as critical to ongoing grid reforms.
“We all recognise the importance of SCADA-EMS for grid operations. This control room provides NISO with the environment needed to commence the operationalisation of the SCADA/EMS project at this stage of its deployment,” he said.
He assured that NISO would effectively manage the facility to support efficient and stable grid operations.
TCN Project Manager, Engr. Samuel Fakinlade, noted that the facility remains a temporary arrangement, explaining that once the permanent National Control Centre is completed, equipment and personnel will be relocated, and the building returned to TCN.
The Gwagwalada National Control Centre houses advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management System (SCADA/EMS) and telecommunications infrastructure designed to enable real-time monitoring, control and coordination of the national grid.
The interim NCC is expected to significantly improve grid visibility, reduce system disturbances and enhance electricity supply reliability across Nigeria.
