Stop Waiting For Abuja, Take Charge Of Your Own Power Supply — Shettima Tells States

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged state governments to end their dependence on the Federal Government for electricity solutions and take full control of their own power supply by implementing the Electricity Act 2023.

Shettima said Nigeria’s ambition to build a competitive industrial economy will remain constrained unless electricity reforms translate into reliable power for businesses, households and public institutions.

The Vice President stated this on Wednesday while declaring open the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The workshop, themed “Unlocking the Opportunities of the Electricity Act 2023 for Sustainable Energy Development and Economic Growth in Nigeria,” brought together federal and state institutions, regulators and other stakeholders.

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Shettima said the Act has created an opportunity to decentralize electricity governance and enable states to develop power markets suited to their economic needs.

“The Act empowers States to develop and regulate intrastate electricity markets within the applicable constitutional and statutory framework. The size, diversity and endowments of this nation demand this decentralisation. Electricity supply must become a shared responsibility, pursued with innovation and accountability across the Federation. Our States must shed the habit of waiting for Abuja to provide every answer,” he said.

The Vice President identified the country’s diverse energy resources as a major opportunity, citing solar potential in Sokoto, Borno and Katsina, gas resources in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa, and hydroelectric opportunities in Niger and Kebbi.

He urged states to translate these advantages into investments capable of powering agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and education.

Shettima, however, warned that legislation alone will not guarantee improved supply, calling on states yet to establish their regulatory institutions to begin without delay.

“Legislation cannot implement itself. States yet to act must begin their legislative and institutional preparations promptly. They need to establish functional electricity regulatory bodies with technical competence and capacity,” he said.

To strengthen implementation, the Vice President proposed a National Electricity Reform Peer Review and Implementation Framework involving the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, the Federal Ministry of Power, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and state electricity regulators.

He explained that the voluntary framework would allow states to exchange experiences, strengthen regulatory institutions and assess progress in market development, investment readiness, consumer protection and electricity access.

“No State needs to purchase with failure the knowledge another State has already acquired,” he said, adding that annual reviews should identify implementation challenges, facilitate technical assistance and promote practical solutions without undermining the constitutional powers of states.

Shettima also emphasized private sector participation, noting that government funding alone cannot meet Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure requirements.

“Government cannot finance this transformation from the treasury alone; private capital must arrive with technology and expertise. Transparent licensing, predictable regulation, commercially viable markets, investment safeguards and credible dispute resolution will earn investors’ confidence,” he stated.

He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to expanding electricity access through policies that encourage investment, strengthen institutions and improve service delivery.

The Vice President also called for stronger consumer safeguards against arbitrary billing and poor service.

“The final verdict on this law will be delivered wherever a Nigerian reaches for a switch. Entrepreneurs need dependable power, young Nigerians need employment, and investors need transparent rules under which enterprise can prosper,” he added.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, who represented the Minister of Power, said the success of the Act would depend on the capacity of states to establish credible institutions and commercially viable electricity markets.

Also speaking, Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Abdulateef O. T. Shittu, said the forum was working to strengthen coordination between federal and state institutions and disclosed that efforts were underway to develop a standard tariff framework for states to protect consumers while promoting investment.

In her remarks, Deputy General Manager (Compliance) and Head of Compliance at NERC, Hauwa Yakubu, disclosed that the commission had issued regulatory transfers to 17 states, with Akwa Ibom being the most recent, and said NERC has continued to support emerging state regulators through peer-to-peer training.

The statement was signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Office of the Vice President.