Nigerians want reliable power, not regulatory rivalry, says NERC

Nigerians are primarily concerned with having a reliable electricity supply, not with which entity holds regulatory power, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The commission has backed Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe's appeal for increased cooperation among stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). This stance emerged following a workshop focused on harmonizing federal and state institutions after the Electricity Act of 2023 decentralized the power market.

NERC Chairman Dr. Musiliu Oseni stated that the focus should be on enhancing electricity provision rather than engaging in turf wars over regulatory responsibilities. "Nigerians do not really care about who regulates what or who is responsible for policymaking, but they strongly care about the availability and reliability of supply," Oseni said. He urged regulators and policymakers to set aside personal and institutional interests to achieve better outcomes for consumers.

“

Nigerians do not really care about who regulates what or who is responsible for policymaking, but they strongly care about the availability and reliability of supply. It does not matter to them who drives the sector, be it state or federal, but who actually meets their supply needs.

To foster better coordination, Oseni suggested reforming the National Council on Power (NACOP) into a more structured platform for frequent policy meetings between federal and state authorities. This, he believes, will ensure consistent communication and smoother implementation of ongoing reforms during the transition phase.

Minister Tegbe had previously cautioned against actions that could undermine the newly decentralized electricity market, highlighting the critical need for harmony and collaboration.

“

It is on this basis I wish to urge all actors in the room to reflect, drop our ego and personal interests, embrace dialogue and let us all work together to meet the yearnings of Nigerians.