Nigeria has successfully synchronized its national electricity grid with the West African Power Pool. This historic achievement connects Nigeria, Niger, and parts of Benin and Togo with a wider network of 14 West African countries. The breakthrough creates a single regional grid operating at a unified frequency for the first time.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), in partnership with the West African Power Pool (WAPP) Information and Coordination Centre, conducted the major synchronization test on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The test took place between 5:04 a.m. and 9:04 a.m. .
This achievement marks a pivotal moment for the West African Power Pool's plan to create a unified regional electricity market. The goal is to enable efficient cross-border energy trading and improve power reliability across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region .
The synchronized test effectively connects three previously separate grid areas. Area 1, which includes Nigeria, Niger, and parts of Benin and Togo, is now linked to Areas 2 and 3 that cover the rest of West Africa. This creates one operational grid for the region .
NISO described the success as a demonstration of Nigeria's technical skill. It shows the country can manage complex, large-scale grid operations that meet international standards. The event also strengthens Nigeria's position as a leader in regional energy cooperation and economic development .
This success follows nearly two decades of effort. A previous physical synchronization attempt in 2007 lasted only about seven minutes before it failed due to system instability and coordination problems . The recent success was made possible by better real-time communication between control centers, stricter frequency control, improved system monitoring, and harmonized operational standards between NISO and the WAPP coordination center .
The synchronization is a cornerstone of the West African Power Pool's master plan. It aims to establish a unified electricity market. This market will let countries trade power efficiently. It can lower supply costs and improve grid reliability through shared reserves .
For Nigeria, this connection offers major benefits. It opens a path to unlock stranded generation capacity from underused power plants. It creates new opportunities for energy exports, which can earn foreign exchange. It also enhances the overall resilience of the national grid . The achievement may also help Nigeria get donor funding for important transmission projects .
The synchronization represents a key step in regional energy integration. It supports broader projects like the NorthCore electricity interconnection project. That project involves Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria. It has an overall completion rate of 65% as of early 2025 .
NISO is a newly formed organization. It was created by unbundling the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) as required by the Electricity Act of 2023 . Its core job is to ensure a reliable and stable electricity supply by managing grid operations and market transactions . In July 2025, NISO began a digitization and automation drive. This initiative aims to boost national grid reliability. It involves implementing advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition technology. This technology is key for real-time grid monitoring and better operational efficiency .
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to power sector reform. The government is pursuing a complete strategy that includes new laws, policy reforms, and infrastructure development . The Electricity Act of 2023 is a landmark law. It provides a strong governance framework for the electricity supply industry. It also lets states create their own electricity markets .
The successful grid synchronization is a major technical and cooperative feat. It paves the way for a more stable, integrated, and efficient energy future for Nigeria and its West African neighbors .