Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on state governments to take greater responsibility for electricity supply by establishing functional power markets and attracting private investors under the Electricity Act 2023.
He said Nigeria’s quest for a competitive industrial economy would remain difficult to achieve without dependable electricity for businesses, households and public institutions.
Shettima made the call on Wednesday while declaring open a national stakeholders’ workshop on the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He was represented at the event by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.
The workshop brought together government agencies, regulators and other stakeholders to examine the implementation of the legislation.
According to the Vice President, the Act provides states with the opportunity to regulate electricity markets within their territories and develop power solutions that reflect their economic priorities and available resources.
“Our states must shed the habit of waiting for Abuja to provide every answer,” he said, stressing that electricity provision should be a collective responsibility of all levels of government.
He highlighted the renewable energy potential of Sokoto, Borno and Katsina states, noting their prospects for solar power generation. He also identified the gas resources of Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states, as well as hydropower opportunities in Niger and Kebbi states.
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Shettima urged state governments to harness these resources to attract investments capable of supporting agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and education.
He, however, cautioned that the passage of the law alone would not resolve the country’s electricity challenges, urging states yet to establish regulatory institutions to commence the process promptly.
To strengthen implementation, the Vice President proposed a voluntary National Electricity Reform Peer Review and Implementation Framework involving the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Federal Ministry of Power, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and state electricity regulators.
He said the proposed framework would provide an avenue for states to exchange experiences and evaluate their progress in electricity market development, investment readiness, consumer protection and access to power.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, said effective implementation of the Act would depend on states establishing credible regulatory institutions and commercially sustainable electricity markets.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Abdulateef Shittu, said the forum was working to strengthen collaboration between federal and state institutions.
Shittu disclosed that efforts were also ongoing to develop a standard electricity tariff framework that would safeguard consumers’ interests while making the sector attractive to investors.
Meanwhile, NERC’s Deputy General Manager and Head of Compliance, Hauwa Yakubu, revealed that the commission had transferred electricity regulatory responsibilities to 17 states, with Akwa Ibom being the latest to receive the transfer.