The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has inaugurated a new group, the Forum of Nigerian Electricity Regulators (FONER) aimed at enhancing coordination and effectiveness in electricity regulation across Nigeria.
Speaking at the first quarter 2026 regulatory meeting with State Electricity Regulators (SERs) in Lagos, NERC Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni, described the initiative as a major step in Nigeria’s transition to a multi-level electricity market.
Inaugurating the forum, Oseni emphasised the need for collaboration to prevent regulatory loopholes within the sector.
FONER, he said, is expected to drive key regulatory objectives, including fostering dialogue between NERC and states, promoting harmonisedapproaches in tariff setting, market operations, consumer protection, and supporting capacity-building through peer learning.
The forum, according to him, will also serve as a consultative platform for electricity market reforms while advancing transparency, accountability, and national regulatory benchmarks.
“Electricity is the oxygen for economic growth and prosperity. Unfortunately, our industry is fraught with varying challenges which require effective coordination and synergy among the captains of the industry.
“As regulators, we are often regarded as arbiters of the industry, but our mandate goes deeper—we are drivers of innovation, investment and economic growth, guardians of consumer protection and protector of overriding public interests.
“This forum is established to ensure effective collaboration between federal and state electricity regulators and ensure consistent regulatory frameworks, safeguard consumer interests, promote investment, and strengthen the technical and institutional capacity of electricity regulators in Nigeria,” Osenistated.
According to him, a Technical Working Group (TWG) was constituted in September 2025, comprising representatives from NERC and SERCs, with the Secretary to the Commission serving as Ex-Officio Secretary.
The event also witnessed the signing and launch of the FONER Charter, and the inauguration of the forum’s leadership led by Oseni serve as Chairman, alongside Chijioke Okonkwo of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ESERC) as Vice Chairman, and Aisha Mahmud, NERC Commissioner, Stakeholder Management Division as Secretary.
The quarterly regulatory meeting, according to NERC, continues to serve as a platform for the commission and state regulators to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, and drive improvements in Nigeria’s electricity supply industry, with the ultimate goal of expanding access to reliable power for Nigerians.
“The challenge facing our industry is often reduced to a specific segment of the value chain: generation, transmission or distribution problem. However, this reductionism is misleading.
“The key issue is: we have an electricity market problem! The main question is not how much power can we generate? Rather, the key question is: how can our market operate sustainably? Addressing this key question is critical to addressing the challenges facing our industry,” Oseni stated.
Emmanuel Addeh
