The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has officially handed over the control room building extension for the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management System (SCADA/EMS) at the Gwagwalada 330kV Transmission Substation to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), as part of efforts to improve electricity grid management across the country.
The facility, located in Abuja, will serve as a temporary National Control Centre (NCC), providing NISO with an operational base for real-time grid monitoring and management pending the completion of the permanent National Control Centre.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, TCN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, represented by the General Manager, Project Coordination, Engr. Amini Tahir, described the event as a defining moment for the company and a major milestone in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity transmission infrastructure.
Abdulaziz said the completion of the facility marked the beginning of a new phase in national grid management, explaining that the building was designed as temporary accommodation for the newly acquired SCADA-EMS and telecommunications systems, as well as operational personnel.
He noted that the facility would enable NISO to oversee grid operations more efficiently and reliably until the permanent National Control Centre becomes operational, adding that the organisation would assume full responsibility for operating and maintaining the facility.
According to him, the handover reflects TCN’s commitment to improving grid management, enhancing system reliability and ensuring better electricity service delivery for Nigerians.
The TCN boss also acknowledged the support of the World Bank throughout the project and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to collaboration, innovation and service excellence as NISO begins operations from the temporary facility.
In his acceptance remarks, NISO Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Abdu Bello, represented by the General Manager, System Planning, Engr. Kabir Adamu, thanked TCN for delivering the project, describing the handover as a critical step towards strengthening the operational capacity of Nigeria’s electricity grid.
Adamu said the SCADA-EMS project is vital to effective grid operations and that the control room provides NISO with the environment required to commence the operationalisation of the system at its current stage of deployment.
He assured that NISO would manage the facility responsibly to support efficient grid operations while sustaining collaboration aimed at advancing Nigeria’s power sector.
Also speaking, TCN Project Manager, Engr. Samuel Fakinlade, explained that the temporary facility houses the newly installed SCADA-EMS and telecommunications system for real-time grid management.
He added that once the permanent National Control Centre is completed, the equipment and personnel would be relocated, after which the building would be returned to TCN.