The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has achieved a significant milestone in regional energy integration by synchronizing the Nigerian power grid with the West African electricity network. In collaboration with the West African Power Pool Information and Coordination Centre (WAPP-ICC), the successful synchronization includes parts of Niger, Benin, and Togo, creating a unified grid operating at a single frequency.
According to NISO’s Board Chairman, Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, the test was conducted on November 8, 2025, between 05:04 a.m. and 09:04 a.m. This breakthrough marks a major step forward in establishing a reliable and stable regional grid, following several previous attempts, including a brief synchronization in 2007 that lasted only seven minutes. Improved system monitoring, frequency control, and real-time communication across participating control centers have made this achievement possible.
The newly connected network integrates Nigeria, Niger, and parts of Benin and Togo with the rest of West Africa, enhancing reliability, stability, and cross-border electricity trade. This initiative aims to achieve operational unification of the regional grid, improve reliability through shared reserves, and enable cost-effective power generation and trading under the West African Electricity Market (WAEM). Deeper institutional cooperation among member states is also expected to foster greater regional integration.
For Nigeria, this achievement is expected to unlock stranded generation capacity, support energy exports and foreign exchange earnings, and improve grid resilience. The country’s leadership in regional energy integration is also reinforced, with potential access to international donor funding for key transmission projects. The synchronization of the Nigerian power grid with the West African electricity network is a significant step towards a more integrated and reliable regional energy system, with benefits extending to the entire ECOWAS subregion.
The successful synchronization of the Nigerian power grid with the West African electricity network marks a major milestone in regional energy integration, with far-reaching implications for the reliability, stability, and efficiency of the regional grid. As the region continues to work towards a unified energy system, this achievement demonstrates the potential for cooperation and collaboration in achieving a more sustainable and interconnected energy future.