Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged state governments across Nigeria to take greater responsibility for addressing electricity challenges in their jurisdictions rather than relying solely on the Federal Government for solutions.
Shettima made the call on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, while declaring open the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. His address was delivered by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.
The Vice-President said Nigeria’s ambition to build a competitive industrial economy would remain constrained unless electricity reforms translated into reliable power for businesses, households and public institutions.
He explained that the Electricity Act 2023 had created opportunities for states to develop and regulate electricity markets within their territories, allowing them to design solutions that reflect their economic needs and available energy resources.
Shettima urged state governments to move beyond waiting for federal intervention and establish functional electricity markets supported by effective regulation, investment and accountability.
He also highlighted the country’s diverse energy resources, noting that states could harness solar power potential in Sokoto, Borno and Katsina, natural gas resources in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa, and hydroelectric opportunities in Niger and Kebbi.
According to him, converting these resources into viable energy projects could improve electricity access and support economic activities in agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and education.
The Vice-President warned that passing legislation alone would not improve electricity supply, urging states that had yet to establish their own electricity regulatory institutions to begin the process without delay.
He stressed that state regulators must possess the technical expertise and institutional capacity required to oversee electricity markets effectively and ensure that reforms produce tangible benefits for residents.
To accelerate implementation, Shettima proposed a voluntary National Electricity Reform Peer Review and Implementation Framework involving the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Federal Ministry of Power, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and state electricity regulators.
The proposed framework would enable states to share experiences, identify implementation challenges, strengthen regulatory capacity and assess progress in electricity market development, investment readiness, consumer protection and access to power.
Shettima said regular reviews could help states learn from one another and avoid repeating mistakes already encountered elsewhere, while respecting their constitutional responsibilities.
He also emphasised the importance of private-sector investment, arguing that government funding alone would not be sufficient to transform Nigeria’s electricity sector.
According to him, transparent licensing procedures, predictable regulations, commercially viable markets, investment safeguards and reliable dispute-resolution mechanisms would help attract the capital and technical expertise needed to expand electricity infrastructure.
The Vice-President further called for stronger consumer protection, particularly against arbitrary billing, poor electricity service and unfair commercial practices. He maintained that electricity operators must be held accountable for the quality of services delivered to consumers.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulateef Shittu, disclosed that the forum was working towards developing a standard electricity tariff framework for states. The initiative is intended to protect consumers while supporting investment and the commercial sustainability of state electricity markets.
The Head of Compliance at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Hauwa Yakubu, also disclosed that regulatory responsibilities had been transferred to 17 states, with Akwa Ibom the latest to receive the transfer. She said the commission was supporting emerging state regulators through training and technical cooperation.
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