–Says LGAs can participate in power sector

By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has charged the newly inaugurated board of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to enforce strict safety standards across Nigeria’s electricity value chain, declaring that safety in the sector is “not negotiable.”

Speaking at the inauguration of the agency’s board in Abuja on Wednesday, Adelabu said the board must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to substandard electrical materials and weak compliance with technical standards, which he identified as major causes of electrical accidents, equipment failures and network inefficiencies.

He stressed that NEMSA, as the statutory body responsible for enforcing technical standards, plays a central role in ensuring the safety, integrity and reliability of the power sector through inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations.

“A modern, reliable electricity market cannot thrive without strict adherence to technical standards,” the Minister said, urging the board to intensify enforcement and ensure that all components of the nation’s power infrastructure meet required safety and quality benchmarks.

Adelabu tasked the board to strengthen governance, scale up inspection and certification processes, and deepen enforcement mechanisms to curb the proliferation of substandard electrical materials in the market. He also called for improved stakeholder collaboration and public awareness campaigns to entrench a culture of safety nationwide.

Speaking on the ongoing reforms, the Minister said the structure of Nigeria’s power sector has significantly changed following the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023, which prioritises decentralisation and liberalisation.

According to him, electricity is no longer under the exclusive control of the Federal Government, as sub national governments now have legal backing to participate actively across the value chain.

He disclosed that about 17 states have already attained regulatory autonomy, enabling them to oversee electricity generation, transmission and distribution activities within their jurisdictions.

He said: “As we evolve this decentralisation objective, even local governments are expected to begin participating in the sector”.

Adelabu noted that the liberalisation of the industry has also led to increased private sector participation, with over 70 per cent of generation assets and the majority of distribution companies now under private ownership and management.

He explained that the changing structure of the sector requires NEMSA to continuously adapt its regulatory and enforcement frameworks to address emerging risks, including the growth of off-grid systems, renewable energy and embedded generation.

He stated that “the terrain has changed, and as the sector evolves, so too must our regulatory and enforcement frameworks”.

The minister urged the board not to operate in isolation but to remain actively engaged with developments across the power ecosystem, including increased participation by states, private investors and other stakeholders.

He assured the board of the Federal Ministry of Power’s support, emphasising that the safety of citizens, the credibility of power infrastructure and the success of ongoing reforms depend largely on effective oversight by NEMSA.

Adelabu expressed confidence that the board would provide the leadership required to reposition the agency as a top-tier technical regulator in Nigeria’s electricity industry.

Responding on behalf of the board, its Chairman, Chief Ikechi Nwosu thanked the government for the opportunity to serve the nation, assuring that the board members would live up to expectations.

She urged the Minister to continue his support for the agency, adding that the board was not unmindful of the difficult challenges facing the power sector in the country.

Other members of the board include Engr Adesayo Olusegun (Managing Director/CEO), ZubairAbdurra’uf Idris, Engr. Charles Asogwa, Sani Shehu, Emmanuel Nkpe, Adeyemi Adetunji, Elizabeth Igbah and Barrister Mohammed Liman (Board secretary).