The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has been hailed by energy experts for its groundbreaking decision to give Enugu, Ondo, and Ekiti states the green light to manage their electricity markets.
This pivotal decision garnered big praises from industry experts who gathered at the 93rd Power Dialogue, hosted by The Electricity Hub (TEH), a subsidiary of Nextier, last week in Abuja.
Under the theme “State Electricity Market: The Future of Nigeria’s Power Sector”, the dialogue, expertly moderated by Emeka Okpukpara, Partner at Nextier, showcased insightful discussions from the reputable panelists.
Among them were Louisa Chinedu Okeke, adviser on policy and programme management for the Enugu state government; Omale Omale, Commissioner for Power, Renewable Energy, and Transport in Benue state; and Adedotun Eyinade, program director of the Nigeria Off-Grid Market Acceleration Program (NOMAP).
L-R: Blessing Afolabi; Energy Communications Analyst at the Electricity Hub, Barr. Omale Omale; Honorable Commissioner for Power, Transport and Renewable Energy in Benue State, Louisa Chinedu-Okeke; Adviser on Policy and Project Management in Enugu State, Adedotun Eyinade; Program Manager at Nigeria Offgrid Market Accelerator Program, Emeka Okpukpara; Partner at Nextier and Omono Okonkwo; Head of Operations at The Electricity Hub.
Okeke highlighted Enugu’s proactive stance in energy policy even before Governor Peter Mbah’s tenure. She emphasized the recent milestone of receiving NERC’s directive, foreseeing it as a catalyst for enhancing energy security and access.
Okeke highlighted Enugu’s proactive stance in energy policy even before Governor Peter Mbah’s tenure. She emphasized the recent milestone of receiving NERC’s directive, foreseeing it as a catalyst for enhancing energy security and access.
“Enugu aims to boost investment and economic growth through robust power infrastructure, leveraging the Electricity Act to reduce energy poverty and improve market accessibility”, he highlighted.
Addressing the sustainability imperative, Omale underscored Benue’s strategic pivot towards power as a commodity rather than a utility.
With the establishment of the Ministry of Power, Renewable Energy, and Transport, “Benue aims to revitalize its economy and improve livelihoods through enhanced power availability”, said Omale who also stressed the importance of aligning state policies with federal mandates to attract investors while safeguarding consumer interests.
Eyinade illuminated NOMAP’s mission to bridge energy access disparities, particularly for off-grid communities.
By empowering private market actors and advocating for renewable energy integration, NOMAP aims to narrow electricity gaps nationwide, he stated.
Eyinade further emphasized the critical role of innovative financing models and policy frameworks in scaling decentralized renewables and fostering financial inclusion.
From a forward-looking perspective, Okpukpara emphasized the importance of revenue assurance mechanisms and technological advancements in ensuring the viability of state electricity markets.
He stressed the need for transparent data management and widespread metering to facilitate efficient transactions between buyers and sellers.
“As Nigeria embarks on this transformative journey towards decentralized electricity markets, the collective efforts of policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders promise a brighter, more electrified future for all Nigerians”, the panelists concluded.
The Managing
