The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has rolled out activities to commemorate its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of shaping, reforming, and regulating Nigeria’s electricity supply industry.
Established on October 31, 2005, under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, now replaced by the Electricity Act 2023, the Commission has been at the centre of Nigeria’s turbulent but transformative power sector evolution.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NERC said the anniversary celebration would reflect on its journey from inception through the unbundling of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, the privatisation of generation and distribution assets in 2013, and the oversight of the country’s electricity market from the post-privatisation and Interim Market phases to the current Transition Market stage.
“This 20th anniversary is not just a milestone; it’s a reaffirmation of our mandate to protect consumers, promote investment, and ensure a level playing field in Nigeria’s electricity sector,” NERC Vice-Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni, said ahead of the celebration.
“We remain committed to driving reforms that deliver tangible value to Nigerians,” he added.
Over the past two decades, NERC has been instrumental in driving regulatory reforms aimed at entrenching transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the sector.
It has issued key market rules, set performance benchmarks, established consumer protection frameworks, and developed tariff methodologies that balance investor returns with public interest.
The Commission has also been at the forefront of initiatives to strengthen service delivery and promote off-grid solutions, renewable energy adoption, and energy transition in line with Nigeria’s climate and development goals.
According to the Commission, the anniversary will feature a week-long series of events, including technical panel sessions with leading industry experts, a health and wellness session for staff, and a debate contest for secondary school students on energy-saving practices.
A commemorative dinner will also be held to honour past chairmen, commissioners, pioneer staff, and deceased members who contributed to building the institution.
“These activities are designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and public engagement as we reflect on where we are and where we need to go as a sector,” the statement added.
NERC’s 20th anniversary comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s electricity sector, which is undergoing far-reaching changes following the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023.
The new law decentralises electricity regulation, allowing states to establish their own regulatory agencies, a development NERC has pledged to support through technical collaboration and policy guidance.
The Commission is also driving the transition to a fully competitive electricity market, where market discipline, service quality, and consumer protection are expected to define the next phase of Nigeria’s power sector growth.
As it looks ahead to the next two decades, NERC said it would remain steadfast in its mission to regulate the industry in the public interest, ensuring that Nigerians have access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power supply.
The NERC is an independent regulatory body established under the Electricity Act 2023. It is responsible for setting tariffs, issuing licences, protecting consumers, monitoring market performance, and promoting competition and efficiency across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
