The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has organised the sixth edition of the Seminar on the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) for judicial officers, focusing on strengthening collaboration between the power sector and the judiciary.
The three day seminar, themed “Nigeria’s Electricity Market in Transition: Law, Regulation and the Courts,” is being held in partnership with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) at the NJI Complex in Abuja.
The programme was hosted by NERC in collaboration with the NJI and led by the Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni, alongside key commissioners including Mr Dafe Akpeneye, Mr Nathan Shatti, Mrs Aisha Mahmud, and Dr Fouad Animashaun.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Oseni described the seminar as a vital platform for engaging the judiciary on progress and challenges in the power sector.
He said the initiative aims to promote informed discourse on emerging legal and regulatory issues affecting the industry.
Highlighting recent achievements, the NERC Chairman announced the creation of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) Ltd from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to improve transparency and efficiency in grid management.
He also disclosed that Nigeria has successfully tested the synchronisation of its national grid with other West African countries under the West African Power Pool (WAPP).
Dr Oseni further revealed that the free distribution of prepaid meters to unmetered customers has commenced in line with the Federal Government’s commitment.
Other reforms, he noted, include strengthened oversight of the SCADA project to reduce grid collapses, frameworks to attract private investment in transmission, and the establishment of customer care clinics across all distribution companies.
On the transition to a multi tier electricity market, Dr Oseni stated that Transfer Orders have been issued to 16 states, signalling a shift toward decentralised regulation.
He stressed that judges would now be required to interpret both federal and state electricity laws, making continuous capacity building essential.
He also expressed appreciation to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and the Attorney General of the Federation for approving new Practice Directions for the sector, describing them as critical for legal clarity and dispute resolution.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, emphasised the judiciary’s central role in the reform process, noting that decentralisation has introduced new areas of legal adjudication and that the seminar is a key step toward improving case management and sector jurisprudence.
Earlier, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Babatunde Adejumo (Rtd.), said judges must increasingly navigate complex issues involving law, economics, and engineering.
He explained that the seminar is designed to bridge knowledge gaps and strengthen judicial competence in electricity related matters.
Delivering a goodwill message, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said recent constitutional amendments and the Electricity Act 2023 have laid the foundation for sector reforms. He noted that the changes will promote competition, integrate renewable energy, improve access to electricity, and reduce disputes among federal, state, and private stakeholders.
He commended NERC and NJI for fostering dialogue between regulators and the judiciary, adding that the initiative would enhance dispute resolution and reduce regulatory uncertainty.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by Engr. Baba Umara Mustapha, also praised the organisers for sustaining the seminar. He described it as a strategic platform for discussing the legal, commercial, and regulatory dimensions of the power sector and urged continued collaboration among stakeholders.
In her keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun, applauded the NERC NJI partnership, noting that it reinforces judicial capacity and public confidence in the courts.
She expressed optimism that the seminar would positively influence judicial practice and electricity sector jurisprudence.
The technical sessions featured expert presentations, including a paper by Mr Dafe Akpeneye titled “The Electricity Act 2023 in Practice: Implementation Gaps, Regulatory Friction and the Case for Legislative Amendment.” The paper examined challenges in implementing the new law and proposed reforms.
Professor Barth Nnaji, Chairman of Geometric Power, presented a paper on “The Investors’ Perspective: Investment Opportunities and Challenges in the Nigerian Power Sector,” highlighting areas for private sector participation.
Another presentation by NERC Vice Chairman, Dr Yusuf Ali, represented by Abba Terab, focused on “Regulating Electricity Tariffs in a Decentralised Market Structure.”
The seminar is expected to deepen judicial understanding of Nigeria’s evolving electricity market and strengthen the legal framework needed to support sustainable power sector reforms.