The Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) has officially assumed oversight of the electricity market in Kogi State, taking over from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The announcement was made via NERC’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday.
This marks a significant milestone in the state’s electricity governance in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023.
The formal transfer of regulatory authority was commemorated at a handover ceremony held at the NERC headquarters in Abuja.
During the event, NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba expressed satisfaction with the transition process, highlighting that KSERC officials had undergone extensive training through a twinning arrangement with NERC.
He emphasized that this capacity-building initiative was designed to ensure a seamless transition and equip KSERC with the requisite expertise to regulate the electricity market effectively.
NERC assures KSERC of full cooperation
Garba reaffirmed NERC’s commitment to continued collaboration with KSERC, assuring that the national regulatory body will maintain an open-door policy to provide necessary guidance and technical support whenever required.
- In his remarks, the Chairman of KSERC, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulwaris lauded NERC’s support and the knowledge-sharing sessions that facilitated the transfer process.
- He noted KSERC’s dedication to leveraging the established relationship for further regulatory advancements and fostering continuous engagement with NERC.
- The Electricity Act of 2023 empowers NERC to devolve regulatory authority to state governments that meet the stipulated conditions.
According to him, this decentralization effort aims to enhance operational efficiency and allow states to tailor regulatory frameworks to their unique electricity market needs.
10 states have taken ownership of electricity markets
So far, NERC has issued orders transferring electricity market oversight to ten states. While some states have fully assumed control, others have until July 2025 to complete their transitions.
With KSERC now at the helm of electricity regulation in Kogi State, stakeholders anticipate improved service delivery, enhanced regulatory oversight, and a more localized approach to addressing sector challenges.
What you should know
Under the Act, NERC remains the central regulator overseeing interstate and international electricity generation, transmission, supply, trading, and system operations.
In 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) transferred regulatory oversight to regional bodies across several states, including the Lagos Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC), Ekiti State Electricity Bureau (EERB), Ondo State Electricity Bureau (OSERB), and Ogun State to the Ogun State Electricity Regulatory Commission (OGERC) as reported by Nairametrics.
This shift aims to improve efficiency by decentralizing management, enabling more localized oversight, and ensuring quicker responses to regional electricity needs.
