In compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) and the Electricity Act 2023, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued an order to transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market to the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission (GOSERC).
Recall that with the EA 2023, the Commission retains the role as a central regulator with regulatory oversight on the inter-state/ international generation, transmission, supply, trading and system operations.
The EA also mandates any state that intends to establish and regulate intrastate electricity markets to deliver a formal notification of its processes and requests NERC to transfer regulatory authority over electricity operations in the state to the State Regulator.
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States including Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Plateau, Anambra, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Delta, Kaduna, Rivers have achieved electricity regulatory autonomy by establishing their own commissions.
Announcing the move by Gombe state government, NERC in a public notice on Wednesday said that the state complied with the conditions precedent in the laws, and requested for the transfer of regulatory oversight of the intrastate electricity market in the state.
In the transfer Order seen by BusinessDay, NERC has directed Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) to incorporate a subsidiary (JED SubCo) to assume responsibilities for intrastate supply and distribution of electricity in Gombe State from JED.
It states that JED shall complete the incorporation of JED SubCo within 60 days from 7th January 2026, adding that the subcompany shall apply for and obtain licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from GOSERC, among other directives.
It added that all transfers envisaged by this order shall be completed by July 6, 2026.
“In compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) and the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (“NERC” or the “Commission” has issued an order to transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Gombe State from the Commission to the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission (GOSERC).
“Recall that with the EA 2023, the Commission retains the role as a central regulator with regulatory oversight on the inter-state/ international generation, transmission, supply, trading and system operations.
“The EA also mandates any state that intends to establish and regulate intrastate electricity markets to deliver a formal notification of its processes and requests NERC to transfer regulatory authority over electricity operations in the state to the State Regulator.
“Based on this, the Government of Gombe State complied with the conditions precedent in the laws, duly notified NERC and requested for the transfer of regulatory oversight of the intrastate electricity market in Gombe State,” the statement read.
