The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has officially transferred authority over the electricity market in Nasarawa State to the state’s own regulator.
In a public statement issued on Saturday, NERC confirmed that Nasarawa now has full regulatory control of its intra-state power market, in line with the 2023 Electricity Act.
“In compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electricity Act 2023, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued an order to transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Nasarawa State from the Commission to the Nasarawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission,” it said.
Under the new arrangement, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has been directed to set up a separate entity, to be known as AEDC SubCo, which will take over electricity distribution operations within Nasarawa State.
NERC has given the company a 60-day window, starting from 4 August, to complete the incorporation process. The newly formed company will also be required to apply for a fresh licence from the Nasarawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NASERC).
“All transfers outlined in this directive must be completed by 3 February 2026,” the commission said.
This move follows a growing trend across the country. According to NERC records, ten other states have already taken over regulation of their internal electricity markets. These include Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Imo, Enugu, Kogi, and Niger.
The Electricity Act 2023 gives states the power to regulate electricity generation, transmission, and distribution within their borders. However, NERC still retains authority over interstate and international electricity operations.
States intending to take over local regulation are required to formally notify NERC, which then initiates a handover process as laid out in Section 230 of the Act.
