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The splitting of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) into Transmission Service Provider (TSP) and Independent Service Operator (ISO) in May, has been revoked by the Federal Government. The FG has also directed the Managing Directors of the two hitherto separate entities to revert to their former positions at the TCN.

The Ministry of Power, in a circular dated May 18, 2015, ‘unbundled’ the TCN into two separate companies, the ISO and TSP.  The Minister of Power in the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who ordered the split with presidential approval, also appointed the TCN Deputy Managing Director, Engr. Abubakar Atiku, as Managing Director of the newly-created TSP. Mrs. Ngozi Osuhor, Director of Market Operations at TCN was appointed as the Managing Director of ISO.

TCN was incorporated in November 2005 and issued a Transmission License on 1st July, 2006. It is one of the 18 unbundled units of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), and the only entity that is still under the operation of the FG. Its functions include electricity transmission, system operation as well as electricity trading.

The ISO was created by the last administration to provide efficient system operation and market administration services to all participants in the power sector. The TSP was expected to handle the operation of the transmission substations. Although the creation of this entity is established in Electricity Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had in June refused to recognize the company protesting that it was premature and due process, as stipulated in the EPSR Act, was not followed in its creation.  

In a swift reaction, the Managing Director of ISO, Ngozi Osuhor, was said to be displeased with the new development and has resigned, instead of going back to her previous position as Director of Marketing Operations.