Abia State has officially taken over the full regulatory oversight of its electricity sector, with the newly established Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) assuming responsibilities previously held by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). This landmark transition, effective December 24, 2025, marks a significant step in the decentralization of Nigeria’s power sector, following a 2023 constitutional amendment empowering states to manage their electricity affairs. The move positions ASERA as the sole statutory regulator for all electricity activities within the state’s jurisdiction.
Mr. Emeka Onyegbule, Chairman and CEO of ASERA, announced this pivotal development from the Government House in Umuahia. He confirmed that ASERA is now mandated to regulate, oversee, and manage the entire Abia State electricity market. This comprehensive mandate covers every segment of the electricity value chain, including generation, transmission, distribution, and trading, ensuring localized control and supervision over critical infrastructure.
A key aspect of ASERA’s expanded role involves direct engagement with consumers and service providers. Henceforth, all complaints and conflicts arising between electricity consumers and power distributors in Abia State will be exclusively handled by ASERA, rather than NERC. This shift is expected to streamline dispute resolution processes and enhance accountability, fostering a more responsive regulatory environment tailored to local needs.
The foundation for this significant devolution of power was laid with the amendment of Nigeria’s Constitution in 2023. This crucial legislative change granted states the autonomy to undertake electricity generation, distribution, and transmission within their geographical boundaries. Following this constitutional reform, NERC issued an interim order, permitting states to proceed with the establishment of their own regulatory institutions, paving the way for bodies like ASERA.
Abia State swiftly capitalized on this new constitutional provision by enacting its own Electricity Act of 2025. Prince Okey Kanu, Abia State Commissioner for Information, highlighted that this state-specific legislation was instrumental in enabling the progress achieved within the electricity sub-sector. The Act provides the legal framework for ASERA’s operations and its broad powers to govern the state’s electricity market independently.
Beyond general oversight, ASERA has been specifically empowered to issue licenses for metering and billing activities. This authority aims to encourage private sector investment in meter deployment across the state, addressing long-standing issues of estimated billing and promoting accurate consumption measurement. Such initiatives are vital for fostering transparency and building consumer confidence in the electricity supply system.
This transition in Abia State underscores a broader national paradigm shift towards a decentralized power sector. The federal government’s policy aims to unbundle the complex national grid and foster state-level markets, believing that localized regulation can better address specific regional challenges and opportunities. This move is anticipated to spur competition and innovation, ultimately improving the quality and reliability of electricity supply across Nigeria.
For the residents and businesses of Abia, ASERA’s direct regulatory control promises several potential benefits. It could lead to more bespoke solutions for power infrastructure development, quicker responses to localized outages or issues, and a more direct channel for grievances. The state government hopes this will attract significant investment, driving economic growth and enhancing the overall quality of life through improved energy access.
However, the transition also presents challenges. ASERA must rapidly build its institutional capacity, recruit skilled personnel, and establish robust operational frameworks to effectively manage a sector as complex as electricity. Ensuring its independence from political interference and maintaining high standards of technical regulation will be crucial for its long-term success and credibility.
The Abia model is likely to serve as a blueprint for other Nigerian states keen to exercise their newly acquired constitutional powers over electricity. This localized approach could potentially lead to a mosaic of state-specific electricity markets, each regulated by its own authority, yet ideally harmonized under a national framework where NERC might assume a more supervisory or appellate role.
This pivotal development in Abia State signifies a critical evolution in Nigeria’s energy landscape. It moves the nation closer to a vision where states are active participants in shaping their energy futures, fostering an environment where efficient, reliable, and sustainable electricity supply becomes a tangible reality for all citizens.
