By Peace Udugba
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called for stronger collaboration between federal and state electricity regulators as Nigeria deepens the implementation of the Electricity Act, 2023 and transitions to a decentralized electricity market.
Speaking during a high-level stakeholder engagement in Abuja on Tuesday, Tegbe brought together key players across the electricity value chain to strengthen coordination and address emerging issues surrounding the implementation of the Act. The meeting also sought to resolve the growing impasse between the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs).
The workshop was attended by representatives of the National Assembly, the Special Adviser to the President on Power, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), officials of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, heads of federal power sector agencies, state commissioners for energy, and state electricity regulators.
Discussions focused on regulatory overlaps, electricity tariffs, capacity development, and the need for improved alignment between federal and state institutions to ensure effective implementation of the new electricity market framework.
Describing the transition as one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria’s power sector in decades, Tegbe stressed that the success of the multi-market electricity framework would depend on cooperation rather than institutional rivalry. He reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Power’s commitment to promoting regulatory certainty, attracting investment, and improving electricity supply across the country.
As part of the resolutions reached, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, agreed to suspend the ongoing legislative amendment of the Electricity Act, 2023 to allow for wider consultations and consensus among stakeholders. He noted that sustainable reforms require continuous engagement across all levels of government and the electricity value chain.
Stakeholders at the meeting also pledged to work more closely to ensure the successful implementation of the reforms in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for the power sector.
A key outcome of the engagement was the establishment of a nine-member inter-agency committee to be chaired by the Minister of Power. The committee will include representatives from NERC, State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, and other relevant institutions.
The committee has been given four weeks to address implementation challenges, resolve emerging issues, and recommend practical measures for the seamless operationalisation of the Electricity Act, 2023.
Tegbe acknowledged that challenges were inevitable during the reform process but maintained that they must be resolved through collaboration without compromising regulatory standards, service quality, or consumer protection. He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to building a modern, reliable, and investor-friendly electricity market through sustained cooperation between federal and state institutions.
