Federal and State Regulators Seek Unified Electricity Consumer Standards

Federal and state energy regulators have advocated for a harmonized regulatory framework to protect consumers and maintain investor confidence following the decentralization of Nigeria’s power sector.

Speaking at a regulatory cooperation stakeholder meeting in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Tunji Bello, warned that fragmented rules across states could undermine the goals of the Electricity Act 2023. While the law empowers sub-national governments to establish independent electricity markets, Bello emphasized that seamless inter-agency collaboration is vital to ensure consumers receive consistent protection nationwide.

The meeting brought together leadership from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), and newly formed state regulatory bodies.

Bello cited the joint intervention that halted the unapproved replacement of obsolete Unistar prepaid meters as an example of successful inter-agency alignment. He noted that the initiative protected consumers from improper estimated billing and unverified equipment costs, underscoring that effective regulation should focus on preventing harm rather than merely processing complaints after the fact.

Representatives from NERC and state commissions echoed the need for aligned standards. Anthony Essien, NERC’s Head of Consumer Protection, along with state commission chairmen Chijioke Okonkwo (Enugu) and Prof. Frank Nwoye Okafor (Anambra), highlighted that navigating up to 36 distinct legal frameworks could create compliance hurdles and deter potential investors.

Since the passage of the Electricity Act 2023, 16 states have moved to establish independent power markets. Stakeholders maintain that cross-jurisdictional cooperation will be essential to balancing regional market growth with uniform consumer rights.