Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt
Gombe State has become the latest Nigerian state to assume regulatory control over its intrastate electricity market, as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, formally transferred oversight to the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission, GOSERC.
The move, follows compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended), which empowers states to regulate intrastate power distribution while NERC retains authority over inter-state and international electricity operations.
Under the transfer, Jos Electricity Distribution Plc, JED, has been directed to incorporate a subsidiary, JED SubCo, which will manage electricity supply and distribution within Gombe State. The subcompany must obtain licensure from GOSERC and complete all transfers by 6th July 2026.
A NERC statement noted, “The Commission remains the central regulator, ensuring inter-state and international generation, transmission, trading, and system operations continue under its oversight.”
Gombe joins a growing list of states that have established their own electricity regulatory agencies, including Imo, Bayelsa, Enugu Lagos, and Edo, positioning themselves to independently manage intrastate electricity supply, enhance service delivery, and attract investment in the sector.
However, some southern states, including Akwa Ibom and Rivers, have yet to establish similar regulatory bodies, raising concerns over delays in localised electricity management and sector development.
Politico-economic analysts say this could limit state-level autonomy in addressing distribution inefficiencies and customer service gaps.
Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State was responsible for the near absence of governance in the state, and called on politicians to sheathe their swords for the interest of the people.
“The establishment of GOSERC reflects proactive state participation in electricity regulation, a step that could improve reliability and consumer satisfaction,” Fyneface said. “States without regulatory agencies risk lagging behind in sector reforms and investment opportunities.”
The transfer aligns with ongoing national reforms aimed at decentralising electricity governance, empowering states to develop tailored strategies for intrastate markets while maintaining NERC’s oversight of larger national and cross-border electricity infrastructure.
Fyneface noted that the creation of state-level regulators would accelerate service improvements, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and provide more accountability in revenue collection and distribution.
As other states watch Gombe’s rollout closely, pressure is mounting on lagging states like Akwa Ibom and Rivers to establish regulatory frameworks that would stimulate local electricity markets and attract private sector investment.
