By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has formally transferred electricity market regulatory powers to 16 states, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s transition to a decentralised electricity market.
NERC Chairman, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, announced the development on Monday during a regional seminar for judges of the Lagos State High Court, describing the move as a significant step toward multi-level regulation under the country’s evolving electricity sector reforms.
According to Oseni, the decentralisation of regulatory responsibilities is designed to strengthen governance in the power sector while enabling states to play a more active role in electricity market oversight.
“The objective is to ensure that My Lords are familiar with the intricacies and technical nature of the power sector. We look forward to engaging with you and sharing deeper insights into an industry that is critical to Nigeria’s economic development,” he said.
The seminar, themed “Nigeria’s Electricity Market in Transition: Law, Regulation and the Courts,” brought together judicial officers and power sector experts to deepen understanding of the legal and regulatory framework guiding the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
Representing the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, the Administrative Judge of the Lagos Judicial Division, Justice Atinuke Ipaye, urged participants to actively engage with experts to better understand the rapidly changing electricity landscape.
She noted that the judiciary has a critical role to play in interpreting laws that will shape the future of Nigeria’s power sector.
During the seminar, NERC Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe C. Akpeneye, delivered a presentation titled “Transitioning into a Decentralised Electricity Sector: Legal and Regulatory Perspectives,” while NERC Vice Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Ali, spoke on “Tariff Regulation in a Decentralised Electricity Market.”
The commission said the event is the first in a series of regional engagements aimed at strengthening judicial capacity and promoting a deeper understanding of ongoing reforms in the electricity industry.
Also speaking, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Hameed Oyenuga, commended NERC for organising the seminar.
He expressed confidence that the engagement would equip judges with the knowledge needed to deliver decisions that support, rather than impede, the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
