By Chesa Chesa
The West African Power Pool (WAPP) has unanimously re-elected the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, as Chairman of its Executive Board for another three-year term.
The re-election took place during the 68th Meeting of the WAPP Executive Board, held in Lomé, Togo, on October 8 and 9, 2026.
In his remarks, Abdulaziz thanked members of the Executive Board for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to continue working with them to advance the objectives of the regional electricity body.
He urged member utilities to strengthen their collective responsibility towards building a viable regional electricity market, stressing that decisions taken at board meetings must translate into concrete actions that improve WAPP’s capacity to meet the energy needs of West Africa.
Abdulaziz recalled that the 67th Executive Board Meeting had approved key principles for the progressive establishment of the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), while maintaining operational continuity through the transitional role of the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (ICC).
He said the priority was to ensure the implementation of those decisions within a sound legal, institutional and financial framework that safeguards the interests of WAPP and its member utilities.
The chairman also emphasised the importance of statutory contributions to the organisation’s financial independence and operational effectiveness, urging member utilities to fulfil their financial obligations.
“Statutory contributions are not a formality; they are the basis of WAPP’s autonomy and capacity to act,” he said.
He added that while the Secretariat should continue to pursue cost-reduction measures, such efforts must not undermine the organisation’s critical functions.
On technical priorities, Abdulaziz highlighted network synchronisation and the launch of the regional electricity market, describing synchronisation as a major achievement that requires coordinated system operations, appropriate security arrangements and adequate market readiness among participants and stakeholders.
He noted that the regional electricity market could only deliver its expected benefits if supported by clear rules, reliable data, credible financial mechanisms and independent, effective governance.
