… electricity stakeholders say it should not waste public funds to celebrate 20 years of failure.
…Celebrating regulatory inefficiency and ineffectiveness in the midst of near industry paralysis?
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced plans for the commemoration of its 20th Anniversary, marking two decades of dedicated service in regulating and shaping the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
But Nigerians have countered the move by saying the celebration would amount to celebrating inefficiency and docility in the face of the ongoing general lack of positive impact of power supply in most parts of the country, as well as the commission’s nonchalant attitude towards the ways and manners electricity distribution companies maleficently treat consumers when it comes to their basic function of supplying electricity to consumers.
According to NERC, the anniversary commemoration will reflect on its ‘remarkable’ journey—from the early challenges of its establishment, through the regulation of the unbundled power sector, the privatization of key assets in the value chain, and the oversight of the Nigerian Electricity Market from the post-privatization and Interim Market stages to the Transition Electricity Market, among other milestones.
Established on October 31, 2005, under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005—now replaced by the Electricity Act 2023—NERC said it has played a pivotal role in steering the evolution of Nigeria’s electricity market.
Over the past 20 years, the Commission noted that it has championed reforms that foster transparency, accountability, consumer protection, and sustainable growth across the sector.
To mark this milestone, NERC pointed out that it will host a series of events and activities aimed at showcasing its achievements, engaging stakeholders, and setting a forward-looking agenda for the future of electricity in Nigeria.
Stakeholders from government, industry, development partners, and consumer advocacy groups, it said, will convene to reflect on the sector’s progress, share insights, and renew their commitment to building a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply industry.
Speaking ahead of the celebration, NERC Vice Chairman Dr. Musiliu Oseni said, “This 20th Anniversary is not just a milestone—it’s a reaffirmation of our mandate to protect consumers, promote investment, and ensure a level playing field in Nigeria’s electricity sector. “We remain committed to driving reforms that deliver tangible value to Nigerians,” said Oseni.
Highlights of the celebration, it said, will include a technical session featuring panel discussions by eminent personalities in the power sector, a health and wellness session, a debate contest on energy-saving practices for secondary school students, and a commemorative dinner to honor pioneer and deceased members of staff, as well as past chairmen and commissioners.
These activities, according to NERC, are designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and public engagement in the sector.
As NERC looks ahead to the next 20 years, the Commission said it remains steadfast in its mission to regulate the electricity supply industry in the public interest—balancing the needs of consumers and operators while supporting Nigeria’s energy transition.
NERC is mandated to set tariffs, issue licenses, protect consumers, monitor market performance, and promote competition and efficiency across Nigeria’s electricity supply industry.
However, consumers feel the organization should just bury its head in shame, as most of its impact is never felt by most Nigerians when it comes to electricity supply.
Abdul Yayo, a cold room operator, remarked, “It is when an organization has done well that it should roll out drums to celebrate achievements, but with the way businesses have collapsed because of lack of electricity, and even getting a prepaid meter becomes a challenge for interested customers, and the NERC has remained aloof in the face of all these challenges, it is better that public funds are not wasted on celebrating failure.”
Another stakeholder said: “Look at a company like Ibadan Discos, which for months has not supplied a large portion of its franchise area with sustainable electricity for many months, and NERC has done nothing to address this anomaly, yet it wants to celebrate 20 years of failure.”
