Nigeria: NISO’s creation will ensure grid mgt transparency
The Chairman Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Dr Musiliu Oseni has said that the creation of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) Ltd from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Plc to ensure transparency in grid management and operation.
Speaking at the sixth Seminar on the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) for Judicial Officers Tuesday in Abuja, Dr. Oseni also said the country was able to achieve a successful test synchronisation of the national grid with other West African countries through the West African Power Pool (WAPP).
The theme for this year’s seminar is: ‘Nigeria’s Electricity Market in Transition: Law, Regulation and the Courts.’
The three-day seminar is being held in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) at the NJI Complex, Abuja.
According to the NERC boss, the Commission was able to intensify oversight on the implementation of the SCADA project to reduce grid collapses, create regulatory frameworks to attract private investments in transmission, and establish customer care clinics across all distribution companies (DisCos) to enhance service delivery.
“I am glad to report that the free distribution of prepaid meters to unmetered customers has fully commenced, in fulfilment of the promise made by Mr President,” Dr Oseni announced.
Providing an update on the ongoing transition to a multi-tier electricity market, Dr. Oseni noted that NERC has already issued Transfer Orders to 16 states, noting that, “we are moving from a regime where My Lords only deal with matters involving utilities and NERC as the sole regulator, to matters involving multiple regulators.
Without doubt, effective adjudication on such matters will require the familiarisation of my lords with not only the federal laws and NERC regulations but also different states’ laws and regulatory instruments.”
He expressed appreciation to the CJN, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and the Attorney General of the Federation for the recently approved Practice Direction for the NESI. He also noted that this will provide essential legal clarity for resolving industry matters.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, stated that the judiciary occupies a vital position in this reform journey as guardian of the law. He noted that the decentralization of electricity regulation has introduced new areas of adjudication in electricity sector jurisprudence.
Furthermore, he emphasised that the seminar is a crucial step that aligns fully with the vision of the CJN toward improving case resolutions within the sector.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo (Rtd.), stated that given the technical and policy-driven nature of the sector, Judges are increasingly required to navigate the complex intersection of law, economics, and engineering. He emphasized that bridging this knowledge gap is a primary objective that this seminar seeks to support, ensuring the Judiciary remains equipped to handle the evolving needs of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by the Director, Distribution Services at the Federal Ministry of Power, Engr. Baba Umara Mustapha, commended NERC and NJI for sustaining the seminar.
“This seminar is a potent platform for constructive engagement between the judiciary and power-sector officials to discuss the legal, commercial, and regulatory dynamics of the power sector,” the Minister stated.
He further noted that with a clear understanding of the judiciary’s role, reforms in the electricity sector will be more successful. He urged judicial officers to continue collaborating with power sector stakeholders to ensure shared success for the industry.
In her keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the NERC-NJI collaboration, noting that through programmes such as this seminar, the NJI continues to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening judicial capacity, promoting professional excellence, and enhancing public confidence in the Courts.
“I am confident that the deliberations and insights generated during this Seminar will have a lasting and positive impact on judicial practice and the development of sound electricity-sector jurisprudence,” said the CJN.
The Commission hosted the Seminar in collaboration with NJI and led by the Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni; Commissioner, Legal, Licencing and Compliance, Mr Dafe Akpeneye; Commissioner, Corporate Services, Mr Nathan Shatti; Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Mrs Aisha Mahmud; and Commissioner, Research and Data Analytics, Dr Fouad Animashaun.
