Nasarawa State has joined a growing list of Nigerian states assuming control of their electricity markets under a nationwide decentralization effort. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) confirmed the transfer of regulatory authority to the Nasarawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NASERC) in a social media statement on Saturday, marking the 12th such handover since reforms began.
The shift aligns with Nigeria’s 2023 Electricity Act and constitutional amendments empowering states to manage power distribution within their jurisdictions. NERC instructed the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to establish a subsidiary dedicated to Nasarawa’s intrastate electricity operations within 60 days, starting August 4, 2025. Full implementation of the transition, including infrastructure and operational transfers, must conclude by February 3, 2026, the commission stated.
This move reflects Nigeria’s broader strategy to decentralize its energy sector, aiming to improve service delivery and accountability by allowing states to address local needs directly. Nasarawa follows Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, and eight others already overseeing their markets, while Plateau State is set to assume full regulatory control by September 12, 2025. Two additional states—Abia and Delta—have initiated preparatory steps for future transitions, according to NERC.
Analysts view the reforms as a response to longstanding challenges in Nigeria’s power sector, including inadequate supply and frequent grid failures affecting over 200 million people. By decentralizing oversight, states like Nasarawa could tailor solutions to regional demands, though questions remain about funding and technical capacity. The AEDC, which serves parts of central Nigeria, now faces the logistical task of spinning off operations while maintaining service continuity during the transition period.
The 2023 Electricity Act, signed into law last year, grants states authority to issue licenses for mini-grids and renewable energy projects, potentially unlocking investments in underserved areas. Nasarawa’s transition timeline allows nearly 18 months for groundwork, mirroring phased rollouts seen in earlier states like Lagos and Kogi. As more states embrace localized regulation, the success of these reforms could shape Nigeria’s efforts to achieve stable electricity access—a key driver of economic growth—for its rapidly expanding population.
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