By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says 15 States of the Nigerian federation are in charge of the electricity markets in their respective domains in line with the Electricity Act 2023.
A public notice posted on the national regulator’s social media handle said, “15 states have transitioned to regulating their own electricity markets,” meaning the national Commission has transferred regulatory oversight of electricity market to all the 15 states according to the law successfully.
“Their state electricity regulators (SERs) are now responsible for driving local market growth, investments and ensuring robust customer protection.
The Nigerian Electricity Act (initially 2023, with 2025/2026 amendments) devolves power to states by removing electricity from the exclusive legislative list and enabling state governments to legislate, regulate, and manage their own electricity markets.
Here are the states and the timeline of the transitions: Enugu – 22nd Oct., 2024; Ekiti — 22 Oct., 2024; Ondo — 23 Oct., 2024, Imo — 31 Dec., 2024, Oyo — 5 Feb., 2025; Edo — 20 Feb., 2025; and Kogi — 12 Mar., 2025.
Others are, Lagos — 4 June, 2025; Ogun — 23 June, 2025; Niger — 9 July, 2025; Plateau — 12 Sept., 2025; Abia — 24 Dec., 2025; Nasarawa — 3 Feb., 2026; Anambra — 1 Jan., 2026; and Bayelsa — 20 Feb., 2026.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is an independent regulatory body established by the Electricity Act of 2023 to technically and economicaly regulate the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). Its core mandate is to license operators, set tariffs based on socio-economic dynamics, protect consumer rights, and ensure safe, reliable, and efficient electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.