In a major development poised to enhance Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) have entered a landmark partnership aimed at improving grid safety, metering accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
This alliance, formalized during a high-level meeting between the leadership of both agencies, has resulted in the formation of a Joint Technical Team. The team comprises technical experts from NEMSA and NISO and is tasked with critical responsibilities including the recertification and standardisation of grid-connected metering systems, a move designed to ensure accuracy, reduce technical losses, and restore consumer confidence in the power sector.
According to a statement issued by Ama Umoren, Head of Communications and Protocol at NEMSA, the initiative will also cover key areas such as electrical inspectorate services, integration of renewable energy sources, and the development of financial and logistical coordination frameworks to support the smooth operation of Nigeria’s electricity network.
“In a significant step, a Joint Technical Team comprising representatives from both agencies was constituted. Their immediate priority will be the recertification and standardisation of grid metering systems nationwide,” Umoren stated.
This initiative is also expected to bolster real-time grid monitoring and foster a more transparent and accountable energy distribution process.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of NISO, Abdu Mohammed, praised NEMSA’s continued enforcement of technical standards and certifications within the industry. He stressed that the high Technical Loss Factor across the grid is largely due to inaccurate and outdated meters, which has negatively impacted billing systems and revenue collections across Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Companies (GenCos, TSPs, and DisCos).
Mohammed urged NEMSA to intensify its metering certification processes and ensure that all new transmission lines and substations are tested and certified prior to commissioning.
On his part, NEMSA Managing Director, Engr. Aliyu Tahir, reiterated the agency’s commitment to enhancing safety and enforcing technical standards across the country. He expressed concern over growing issues such as grid instability caused by the misuse of 33kV feeders, delays in enforcement procedures, and continued non-compliance by electricity distribution companies.
“To overcome these issues, we are now fast-tracking enforcement through administrative sanctions instead of relying solely on lengthy legal procedures,” Tahir explained.
He further announced NEMSA’s efforts to establish protocols for integrating mini-grids and energy storage systems with the national grid in line with the government’s renewable energy expansion plan. This is expected to further diversify Nigeria’s energy mix and improve electricity access in underserved areas.
The partnership will also see both agencies collaborate with key stakeholders, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Customs Service, to curb the influx of substandard electrical equipment—a challenge that has long plagued the sector and posed serious safety risks.
In a bid to enhance regulatory powers, Tahir also voiced support for a review of the Electricity Act to empower NEMSA with broader enforcement capabilities in line with global best practices.
The collaborative agreement between NEMSA and NISO reflects the federal government’s broader strategy to revamp Nigeria’s energy landscape through institutional synergy, data-sharing, and transparency.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with epileptic power supply, high losses, and aging infrastructure, stakeholders believe this partnership could serve as a turning point for safer, more accurate, and efficient electricity delivery across the country.