The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has intensified efforts to prepare the judiciary for Nigeria’s evolving electricity market as more states assume regulatory control over their electricity sectors under recent constitutional and legal reforms.
Speaking at a regional seminar for judges of the Lagos State High Court in Lagos, South-West Nigeria, the Chairman of NERC, Dr Musiliu Oseni, said the electricity industry is undergoing one of its most significant transitions since power sector reforms began more than a decade ago.
Oseni said regulatory oversight of electricity markets has now been transferred to 16 states, creating a multi-tier regulatory system that requires a sound understanding of the technical and legal issues surrounding electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and consumer protection.
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He explained that the seminar was designed to equip judges with the knowledge required to adjudicate disputes arising from the evolving electricity market.
“The judiciary plays a critical role in providing certainty for investors, protecting consumers and ensuring that the implementation of reforms remains consistent with the law,” he said.
Representing the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), the Solicitor-General, Mr Hameed Oyenuga, described the engagement as timely, noting that judicial decisions must continue to support ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Justice Atinuke Ipaye, who represented the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, urged participants to actively engage with experts to deepen their understanding of the rapidly evolving electricity industry.
The seminar featured presentations on the legal implications of Nigeria’s decentralised electricity market and tariff regulation under the new regulatory framework.
The workshop comes as Nigeria implements the provisions of the Electricity Act, which empowers states to establish and regulate their own electricity markets.
Since the Act came into effect, 16 states have assumed electricity regulatory responsibilities, while several others are at different stages of establishing independent electricity regulatory commissions.
Nigeria has an installed electricity generation capacity of about 13,000 megawatts (MW), but available generation typically ranges between 4,000MW and 6,000MW, far below the country’s estimated demand of more than 30,000MW.
The supply deficit has contributed to widespread reliance on self-generation by households and businesses.
According to NERC’s industry statistics, Nigeria has more than 13 million registered electricity customers, with over seven million already metered under the National Mass Metering Programme and the Meter Asset Provider Scheme. However, millions of customers are still awaiting meters.
Experts say strengthening judicial capacity is expected to reduce legal uncertainties, improve regulatory consistency, and boost investor confidence as Nigeria advances towards a more decentralised electricity market.
As the country’s electricity market shifts towards state-led regulation, a sound understanding of the new legal framework by the judiciary is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring disputes are resolved efficiently without slowing reforms aimed at improving electricity access, attracting investment, and strengthening consumer protection.
