By Stella Odueme
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has organised a regional seminar for judges of the Lagos State High Court to strengthen judicial understanding of Nigeria’s evolving electricity sector and its regulatory framework.
The seminar, held in Lagos on Monday, with the theme “Nigeria’s Electricity Market in Transition: Law, Regulation and the Courts”, a statement said on Tuesday.
It brought together judges and key stakeholders in the power sector to enhance collaboration and improve the administration of justice in electricity-related matters.
In his opening address, the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, said the commission had transferred electricity market oversight to 16 states following recent reforms, marking the beginning of a new era of multi-level regulation in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
According to him, the seminar was designed to deepen the judiciary’s understanding of the technical and legal complexities of the electricity sector.
“Our objective is to ensure that My Lords are familiar with the intricacies and technical nature of the power sector. We look forward to engaging with you and sharing deeper insights into an industry that is critical to Nigeria’s economic development,” Oseni said.
Representing the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), the Solicitor-General of Lagos State, Hameed Oyenuga, commended NERC for organising the seminar, describing it as a valuable platform for judges to engage directly with stakeholders in the electricity industry.
He noted that such engagements would help ensure that judicial decisions continue to support ongoing reforms in the power sector.
Also speaking, Justice Atinuke Ipaye, Administrative Judge of the Lagos Judicial Division, who represented the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, urged participants to take full advantage of the seminar by engaging resource persons and gaining a deeper understanding of the country’s changing electricity landscape.
The seminar featured presentations on critical aspects of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, including “Transitioning into a Decentralised Electricity Sector: Legal and Regulatory Perspectives,” delivered by NERC Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe C. Akpeneye, and “Tariff Regulation in a Decentralised Electricity Market,” presented by NERC Vice Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Ali.
NERC said the Lagos seminar is the first in a series of regional engagements aimed at building judicial capacity and fostering a shared understanding of the legal and regulatory framework guiding Nigeria’s electricity market as it transitions to a decentralised system.
