Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has challenged state governors across the federation to take direct responsibility for resolving local power challenges rather than waiting for federal interventions, warning that state regulatory bodies must deliver tangible improvements rather than existing merely on paper.
Speaking in Abuja at the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023, the Vice President emphasized that true progress in the nation’s power sector must be measured by generation capacity, job creation, and reliable supply rather than the mere establishment of administrative offices.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Shettima proposed an annual National Electricity Reform Review and Implementation Framework to aggressively track the implementation of decentralized electricity markets.
The Federal Government’s push comes as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) moves to devolve powers, having already issued transfer orders to 17 states to assume regulatory oversight of their respective electricity sectors.
Highlighting the economic imperative of the reforms, Shettima noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu views dependable power as fundamental to building a competitive economy, urging state leaders to adopt transparent licensing procedures, cultivate private sector partnerships, and prioritize consumer protection.
Also speaking, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe stressed that state regulators must be backed by genuine institutional capacity, competent personnel, and financial independence to build investor confidence.
The Minister urged states to work with development finance institutions and private investors to develop bankable projects, secure financing and manage investment risks.
He also reaffirmed the Ministry of Power’s readiness to work with state governments, regulators, development partners and the private sector to build a stronger electricity market.
Representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq noted that ongoing efforts are being supported through technical templates and international partnerships to ensure states can successfully navigate the transition while maintaining harmonious alignment with the national grid.
