NERC Shifts Regulatory Authority Over Electricity to Four States: See List of States
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has successfully transferred regulatory responsibilities to four states. This announcement was made via its official social media platform on Monday, listing the states as Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, and Imo.
With this move, NERC stated that these states now fully oversee and regulate their respective electricity markets.
Currently, there are 11 major electricity distribution companies in Nigeria: Abuja, Benin, Enugu, Eko, Ibadan, Ikeja, Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Port Harcourt, and Yola, along with Aba Power Electric as the 12th. The completion of the regulatory shift in these four states has also led to modifications in the market structures within the Enugu, Benin, and Ibadan distribution areas.
As of January 10, 2025, NERC has initiated the transfer of regulatory functions to 10 states, and these transfers are expected to reshape the country’s electricity market framework. The remaining six states are set to follow suit in due course.
The Commission further clarified, “As of January 10, 2025, NERC began the process of transferring regulatory oversight to 10 states. Once finalized, these states will take full responsibility for managing their electricity sectors. The 10 states involved are Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, and Niger, with the transfers already completed in Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, and Imo, while the other six are still being finalized.”
This shift is a direct result of the newly enacted 2023 Electricity Act, which has redefined the operational landscape of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, marking a significant departure from the previous regulatory model that had been in place since 2013.