Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Abia State is preparing to take full regulatory control of its electricity market by December 2025, a move expected to enhance investor confidence, improve service reliability, and reduce energy costs for businesses and households.
To this end, Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority, ASERA, is deepening collaboration with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to ensure operational readiness, knowledge transfer, and adherence to best practices in electricity governance.
Chairman of ASERA, Emeka Onyegbule, during a peer-learning session with NERC, said the initiative is designed to create an enabling environment for investors in Abia State’s energy market.
“By strengthening regulation and oversight, we are sending a clear signal that Abia is open for business. Reliable power and transparent market rules will encourage private sector participation and lower the cost of electricity for industrial and commercial users,” Onyegbule stated.
The three-day peer-learning session include briefings on market monitoring, compliance enforcement, and operational governance. Experts from NERC will provide insights into tariff frameworks, grid reliability, and performance monitoring, equipping ASERA to make data-driven decisions that attract investment and minimize electricity losses.
“This transition will unlock Abia’s industrial potential,” Onyegbule added. “Businesses will benefit from predictable energy supply, while investors will find a regulatory framework that ensures transparency and performance accountability.”
The move aligns with broader national efforts to decentralize electricity regulation and enhance state-level oversight, creating opportunities for independent power producers, industrial clusters, and technology-driven energy solutions.
By the end of 2025, ASERA is expected to fully operationalize its regulatory mandate, positioning Abia as a model state for electricity market governance, where investors, consumers, and local businesses all stand to benefit from improved service quality and cost efficiency.
“Reliable power is no longer a luxury; it is a business imperative. Our commitment is to ensure that every kilowatt-hour counts for economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and job creation in Abia State.”
Speaking at the engagement, NERC Commissioner for Research and Data Analytics, Dr. Yusuf Ali, reaffirmed the Commission’s support.
“We are sharing our expertise to ensure ASERA is fully equipped to regulate the market effectively, protect consumers, and promote investment opportunities. Strong state regulators are key to a vibrant and stable power sector,” Ali said.
