The Anambra State Government has issued an interim operational licence to First Power Electricity Company Limited, formally recognising the firm as an electricity distributor within the state.
The licence was presented on Thursday by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), Professor Frank Okafor, during a brief ceremony in Awka, the state capital.
Okafor said the decision marked a significant step toward achieving stable and reliable power supply across Anambra.
He stressed that the state government was committed to making Anambra a competitive economic hub.
According to him, this vision would be unattainable “if power remains a luxury.
“With the issuance of this one-year interim licence to FirstPower, the commission expects measurable improvements in electricity supply,” he said. “ASERC will maintain strict oversight to ensure that operators meet their targets.”
He recalled that the journey toward a state-regulated electricity market began when Governor Chukwuma Soludo inaugurated the pioneer ASERC commissioners on October 9, 2025.
He also acknowledged the role of the Anambra State House of Assembly in enacting the Anambra State Electricity Law, which enabled the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to formally transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market to ASERC.
“After careful review, the commission resolved to issue interim licences to electricity companies previously licensed by NERC and operating in the state, to legalise their activities under Anambra’s regulatory framework.
“One such operator is FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited. While legalising its operations, we emphasise that it must strictly comply with the terms and conditions of its licence,” he said.
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The Group Managing Director of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Praveen Chorghade described the occasion as a major milestone in Nigeria’s evolving electricity market.
Represented by Dr. Ernest Mupwaya, Chorghade said the Electricity Act 2023 had “fundamentally redefined the structure, governance, and long-term growth trajectory of the sector.”
He noted that the Act empowered states to design their own electricity laws and regulatory frameworks, a development that has “ignited a wave of innovation across the country,” with Anambra emerging as a model of purposeful implementation.
“FirstPower, our subsidiary responsible for distribution in Anambra, is a product of our forward-looking strategy.
“Until today, FirstPower operated under EEDC’s NERC licence. This new ASERC licence marks a key transition toward a vibrant, competitive, and dynamic electricity market in Anambra,” he said.
Chorghade added that EEDC and FirstPower are fully aligned with the state’s industrial, commercial, and agricultural ambitions, positioning the company to deliver high-quality services under ASERC’s oversight.
Independent Distributor
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of FirstPower, Okechukwu Okafor, said the licensing formally recognised the company as an independent distributor distinct from EEDC.
“We will work closely with industrialists, the state government, and Ndi Anambra to deliver better electricity solutions,” he said.
“Our goal is to improve customer satisfaction and change the narrative in the power sector. With goodwill and cooperation, we expect that by 2027, all customers will be fully metered for transparent billing,” he said.
The event was attended by senior government officials, including the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, and the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Mr. Julius Chukwuemeka.
Confidence Okwuchi