The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) have unveiled a joint action plan to enhance metering accuracy, enforce standards, and improve safety across Nigeria’s power sector.
The Managing Director of NISO, Abdu Mohammed, who disclosed the plan, stressed the urgent need to tackle the country’s high Technical Loss Factor (TLF), largely driven by poorly calibrated and inaccurate metering systems.
He reaffirmed NEMSA’s role in enforcing technical standards and regulations, as well as conducting testing and certification of electrical installations and equipment nationwide.
Mohammed urged NEMSA to prioritise transparent and accurate certification of meters to reduce losses and improve sector efficiency. He emphasised that all new substations and transmission lines—whether managed by Transmission Service Providers (TSPs), Generation Companies (GENCOs), or Distribution Companies (DISCOs)—must be certified by NEMSA before commissioning.
Responding, the Managing Director of NEMSA and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Aliyu Tukur-Tahir, reiterated the agency’s commitment to enforcing safety and technical standards in line with its mandate.
He highlighted challenges facing the sector, including grid instability from the indiscriminate use of 33kV feeders, prolonged enforcement processes, and noncompliance by some DISCOs.
To address these, he said both agencies have agreed to strengthen collaboration and accelerate enforcement by introducing administrative sanctions in place of protracted legal proceedings where applicable.
According to him, a Joint Technical Team comprising representatives from both sides has been constituted. “The team will focus on key areas including metering, standards, inspectorate services, renewables, financial and logistics frameworks,” he said.
“Their immediate priority will be the recertification and standardisation of grid metering systems nationwide,” he added.
Tukur-Tahir also disclosed plans for greater stakeholder engagement. “Both agencies also pledged to share data, collaborate with other stakeholders like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Customs Service to curb the influx of substandard electrical materials,” he said.
Looking ahead, he revealed that NEMSA is developing protocols to safely integrate mini-grids and energy storage systems into the national grid in line with Nigeria’s renewable energy goals.
He further restated the agency’s support for a review of the Electricity Act to strengthen its enforcement powers.
“Through this partnership, NEMSA and NISO aim to deliver safer, more compliant and more reliable electricity infrastructure for all Nigerians,” he added.
PIAK