The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has transferred full regulatory oversight of the electricity market to four states—Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, and Imo. This development is part of the commission’s plan to decentralize electricity regulation under the provisions of the 2023 Electricity Act.
In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, NERC confirmed that the transfer process for 10 states began on January 10, 2025, and is being executed in phases. The commission noted, “The transfers have been completed for four states, namely Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, and Imo, while six states—Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, and Niger—are still undergoing the process.”
The new regulatory structure empowers state governments to manage their electricity markets independently, altering the pre-existing framework established under the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) in 2013.
The transition has also led to adjustments in the operations of electricity distribution companies (DisCos), particularly in regions previously served by the Enugu, Benin, and Ibadan DisCos.
NERC emphasized that the states still in the process will incorporate sub-companies to further restructure their local electricity markets by the end of 2025.
This move is expected to foster competition and improve electricity services in the affected states, granting them the autonomy to implement localized solutions for energy distribution and regulation.
