Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has issued a new directive requiring electricity consumers in states with functional state regulators to channel complaints through local authorities instead of the federal body.
The guidance follows the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which is driving a major restructuring of Nigeria’s electricity market by decentralising regulatory responsibilities.
As part of this transition, oversight of intrastate electricity operations has been transferred to state-level regulators in 15 states. These include Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, and Plateau.
In a statement explaining the new arrangement, NERC made it clear that consumers in these states should now deal directly with their respective state regulators when addressing electricity-related concerns.
“Consumers in these jurisdictions should no longer direct their complaints to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. Instead, they are now required to engage directly with their State Electricity Regulator.”
The commission explained that the reform is designed to improve service delivery by placing regulatory oversight closer to consumers. By decentralising authority, state regulators are expected to respond more quickly and effectively to complaints.
Under the new system, a wide range of issues now fall within the jurisdiction of state regulators. These include disputes over incorrect or estimated billing, challenges related to meter procurement and installation, complaints about poor customer service from electricity distribution companies, and concerns about the reliability of power supply.
NERC noted that the reform aligns with broader goals of strengthening governance within the electricity sector while making regulation more responsive to local realities.
It also emphasized that decentralisation would enhance accountability at the sub-national level, allowing each state to address its unique electricity challenges more effectively.
Ultimately, the commission believes that the new structure will reduce delays in resolving consumer complaints and improve overall service standards.
With the directive now in effect, consumers in the affected states have been urged to identify their respective state electricity regulators and ensure that all complaints and enquiries are directed to the appropriate local offices.
