The 36 State Governors in Nigeria, have called for the protection of States’ electricity regulatory powers in proposed amendments to the Electricity Act 2023, warning that uncertainty over the responsibilities of federal and State institutions could discourage investment and delay power projects.
The call was made at a National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 in Abuja, where Vice-President Kashim Shettima proposed an annual review of States’ electricity reforms to assess progress, identify challenges and accelerate investment in improved power supply.
The Nigerian Governor Forums’ Chairman and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the forum’s Director-General, Abdulateef Shittu, said the proposed amendments must strengthen, rather than undermine, states’ authority over electricity operations within their territories.
He identified intrastate electricity regulation, mini-grid licensing and the proposed expansion of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency’s oversight responsibilities as areas requiring careful consideration.
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AbdulRazaq warned that regulatory uncertainty could increase compliance costs, delay projects and weaken investor confidence. He said the Nigeria Governors’ Forum had supported states through technical workshops, regulatory templates and efforts to develop a standardised tariff methodology.
Shettima, represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, proposed a National Electricity Reform Review and Implementation Framework involving the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Federal Ministry of Power, the NGF and state electricity regulatory institutions.
He said the framework would help states assess progress, share experiences and identify obstacles to developing electricity markets and attracting investment. Participation, he stressed, would be voluntary and respect the constitutional and statutory powers of individual states.
The Vice-President urged States yet to establish electricity regulatory commissions to begin the necessary legislative and institutional processes, warning against creating regulatory bodies that existed only on paper.
According to him, success of the reforms should be measured by improvements in electricity supply, investments attracted, jobs created and the impact on citizens’ lives. He also stressed the need to protect consumers through fair billing, reliable service and effective complaint-resolution mechanisms.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, said credible institutions, private capital and improved services were essential to successful electricity reforms.
He said state regulators required competent personnel, transparent licensing and tariff processes, adequate funding and sufficient independence to perform their duties.
Tegbe also called for clear arrangements between state electricity markets and the national grid, noting that many states would continue to depend on grid supply while developing independent generation and distributed energy projects.
Meanwhile, NERC Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, represented by Hauwa Yakubu, disclosed that the commission had issued transfer orders to 17 states that met the requirements of the Electricity Act 2023.
The workshop was themed “Empowering the States: Reviewing the Electricity Act 2023.”
