The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has said that clear understanding of the judiciary’s role, will make power reforms in Nigeria more successful.
He spoke at the sixth seminar of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) for Judicial Officers organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The theme of the seminar was:‘’Nigeria’s Electricity Market in Transition: Law, Regulation and the Courts.’’
He implored judicial officers to continue collaborating with power sector stakeholders to ensure shared success for the industry.
Adelabu, represented by the Director, Distribution Services at the Federal Ministry of Power, Engr. Baba Umara Mustapha, commended NERC and National Judicial Iinstitute for sustaining the seminar.
“This seminar is a potent platform for constructive engagement between the judiciary and power-sector officials to discuss the legal, commercial, and regulatory dynamics of the power sector,” the Minister stated.
Speaking at the seminar, NERC Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni, in his address, said that the event provides a strong platform for meaningful engagement with the judiciary on the progress and challenges within the Nigerian power sector.
He announced key milestones of the power sector reforms within the last year, including the creation of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) Ltd from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Plc to ensure transparency in grid management and operation.
With this, Nigeria achieved a successful test synchronisation of the national grid with other West African countries through the West African Power Pool (WAPP), he said.
“I am glad to report that the free distribution of prepaid meters to unmetered customers has fully commenced, in fulfilment of the promise made by Mr President,” Dr Oseni added.
Other strategic actions include intensified oversight on the implementation of the SCADA project to reduce grid collapses, creating regulatory frameworks to attract private investments in transmission, and establishing customer care clinics across all distribution companies (DisCos) to enhance service delivery.
Giving update on the ongoing transition to a multi-tier electricity market, the NERC Chairman noted that NERC has already issued Transfer Orders to 16 states, noting that, “we are moving from a regime where My Lords only deal with matters involving utilities and NERC as the sole regulator, to matters involving multiple regulators. Without doubt, effective adjudication on such matters will require the familiarisation of my lords with not only the federal laws and NERC regulations but also different states’ laws and regulatory instruments.”
He expressed appreciation to the CJN, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and the Attorney General of the Federation for the recently approved Practice Direction for the NESI. He also noted that this will provide essential legal clarity for resolving industry matters.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, stated that the judiciary occupies a vital position in this reform journey as guardian of the law.
He noted that the decentralization of electricity regulation has introduced new areas of adjudication in electricity sector jurisprudence.
He emphasised that this seminar is a crucial step that aligns fully with the vision of the CJN toward improving case resolutions within the sector.
In her keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the NERC-NJI collaboration, noting that through programmes such as this seminar, the NJI continues to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening judicial capacity, promoting professional excellence, and enhancing public confidence in the Courts.
“I am confident that the deliberations and insights generated during this Seminar will have a lasting and positive impact on judicial practice and the development of sound electricity-sector jurisprudence,” said the CJN.
