Tegbe Calls for Stronger Harmonization between National and State Regulators as Power Sector Reforms Deepen

The Honourable Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, on Tuesday convened a high-level stakeholder engagement, bringing together key actors across the electricity value chain to strengthen coordination on the implementation of the Electricity Act, 2023 and Nigeria’s transition to a decentralized electricity market. This engagement advanced the resolution of the brewing impasse between the NERC and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.

In attendance at the workshop were representatives of the National Assembly, the Special Adviser to the President on Power, DG Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), representatives from the Nigeria Governors Forum, Heads of Federal Power Sector Agencies, State Commissioners for Energy, and State Electricity Regulators. The engagements provided a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on key regulatory issues, including regulatory overlaps, tariffs, capacity development, and the need for better alignment between Federal and State institutions.

Describing the ongoing transition as one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria’s power sector in decades, Joseph Tegbe stressed that the success of the new multi-market electricity framework would depend on strong collaboration rather than institutional competition. He said the Federal Ministry of Power would continue to work closely with all stakeholders to promote regulatory certainty, attract investment and ensure improved electricity service delivery across the country.

Following extensive deliberations, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, agreed to defer the ongoing legislative process of amending the Electricity Act, 2023 to allow for broader consultation and consensus-building among stakeholders, noting that effective reforms require sustained engagement across all levels of government and the electricity value chain.Various stakeholders who spoke reaffirmed their commitment to closer collaboration to support the successful implementation of the reforms in line with vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

As a major outcome of the workshop, Tegbe announced the establishment of a nine-member inter-agency committee to be chaired by the Minister, with membership comprising representatives from NERC, SERCs, Governor’s Forum, BPE etc. The committee is expected to drive continuous engagement, address and resolve emerging implementation issues and recommend practical measures to ensure seamless operationalization of the Electricity Act, 2023 within a period of four weeks.

In closing, Tegbe acknowledged that implementation challenges are inevitable but emphasised that they must be resolved collectively and without compromising regulatory standards, service quality or consumer protection. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a modern, reliable and investor-friendly electricity market through sustained collaboration between federal and state institutions.