NISO pledges to support Gombe to improve electricity supply

By Onu Okorie

Nigerian Independent System Operator NISO has pledged its full support to the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission GOSERC in its efforts to improve electricity supply and expand access to power across the state.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NISO, Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed, gave the assurance on Monday, August 10, 2026, when the management of GOSERC visited the NISO corporate headquarters in Utako, Abuja.
Mohammed assured the state regulator that NISO would collaborate with Gombe State to develop a sound electricity market and business model capable of enabling the state to access increased power supply.
He said, “NISO will support you 100 per cent in exploring how to improve electricity supply in the state. We will collaborate with you to develop a sound business model that will enable the state to access more power.”
The NISO chief executive congratulated members of GOSERC on their appointments and commended the Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for appointing what he described as competent individuals to oversee the state’s electricity regulatory framework.
He described Gombe as a commercial hub in the North-East with significant opportunities for investment and development, stressing that the state’s growing economic activities required a corresponding improvement in electricity supply.
Mohammed recalled his experience as Managing Director of Jos Electricity Distribution Company, noting that Governor Yahaya had distinguished himself in his commitment to electricity infrastructure.
“We appreciate the Governor of Gombe State, who stood out as one of the best during my time as MD of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company. That he was the first in the entire North-East to establish a State Electricity Regulatory Commission reflects the importance he places on electricity infrastructure,” he said.
He also commended the governor’s initiative to establish an industrial park, saying the development would further increase the need for reliable and adequate electricity in the state.
“Gombe State is comparatively a hub for commercial activities within the North-East. The establishment of the industrial park by the Governor is quite inspiring and warrants increased power supply to the state,” Mohammed added.
While commending the initial efforts of GOSERC, the NISO boss urged the commission to regard Sabana, the utility company licensed to distribute electricity in the state, as a partner rather than a rival.
According to him, closer cooperation between the state regulator and the distribution company would strengthen the electricity market and improve revenue generation.
Mohammed also identified Gombe’s natural resources, including its coal reserves, as assets that could position the state as an important stakeholder in Nigeria’s electricity industry.
He further assured GOSERC of NISO’s readiness to provide on-the-job training to the commission’s personnel in various aspects of electricity market operations and regulation.
Earlier, the Chairman of GOSERC, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi, MNI, said the delegation visited NISO to explore areas of collaboration that could help increase electricity supply to Gombe State.
Arabi disclosed that the state was currently receiving about 30 megawatts (MW) of electricity, despite having the potential to receive as much as 200MW based on its energy requirements and capacity.
“Gombe State is currently receiving 30MW, whereas, in essence, its energy requirements and required capacity would allow it to receive up to 200MW. The Governor has mandated us to work towards improving power supply in the state, which is why we are here to discuss and exchange ideas on how we can collaborate to achieve this objective,” he said.
He added that about 30 mini-grid projects were already being developed in the state, but stressed the need for collaboration with NISO to ensure a smooth transition and effective integration of the projects into the wider electricity market.
Also speaking, NISO’s Executive Director, Market Operations, Engr. Dr. Edmond Eje, advised GOSERC to ensure that all licensed distribution companies operating in the state register with NISO as market participants.
He explained that such registration was necessary because the distribution companies would interface with the national electricity grid.
The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Mr. Babajide Ibironke, on his part, assured the delegation that NISO would maintain an open-door policy in dealing with subnational electricity regulators.
Ibironke noted that although NISO operates as a quasi-regulator, it remains committed to working closely with state regulators to strengthen electricity markets and improve power supply across the country.
The meeting underscored the growing importance of cooperation between the national electricity market operator and state-level regulators as states increasingly take active roles in shaping electricity supply and distribution within their jurisdictions.
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