Criticism trails NISO’s disowning of popular ‘Nigeria National Grid’ X account

The Nigerian Independent System Operator has once again distanced itself from a widely followed X account known as “Nigeria National Grid,” describing it as unauthorised and urging the public and media to stop citing it  a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerians.

In a statement issued on June 5, 2026, NISO said it had no affiliation with the account and that those operating it were unknown to the organisation. The body noted that it had issued a similar warning as far back as January 17, 2026, suggesting the earlier notice had been largely ignored.

NISO advised the public, media organisations, and all stakeholders not to quote, reference, or rely on any information from the account, stressing that such content does not represent the official position of the organisation.

However, the announcement was met with backlash on X, with many users arguing that the unofficial account filled a void left by NISO itself, which has failed to provide real-time grid information.

One user wrote that NISO “slept too long, there was a vacuum and someone filled it,” while another said the account “saw a gap and decided to fill it,” urging NISO to take up the responsibility of providing real-time data.

Another observer pointed out that NISO’s own official X account remains unverified, whereas the account it was disowning carries a verification badge.

The “Nigeria National Grid” account regularly posts data on the country’s electricity generation, tracking megawatt output and monitoring grid collapses in real time. It has become a key reference for journalists, energy analysts, and ordinary citizens.

NISO directed the public to its official platforms for authorised communications, including its X handle, website, and social media pages.