Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on state governments to establish functional electricity markets instead of depending entirely on the Federal Government to address power supply challenges. He made the appeal on Wednesday at a national stakeholders’ workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he was represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.
Shettima said reliable electricity was essential for Nigeria’s industrial growth and for services such as healthcare, education, agriculture and manufacturing. He encouraged states to develop power projects using their available resources, including solar energy in Sokoto, Borno and Katsina, gas in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa, and hydropower in Niger and Kebbi. He also urged states yet to establish electricity regulatory bodies to begin the process and create conditions that would attract private investment.
Shettima proposed a voluntary peer-review framework involving federal agencies, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and state regulators to help states assess progress and share practical lessons. Other officials at the workshop stressed the need for credible regulatory institutions, workable electricity markets and tariff arrangements that balance consumer protection with investment. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission also disclosed that regulatory responsibilities had been transferred to 17 states, with Akwa Ibom the latest to receive the transfer.
