Empowering the Judiciary for Nigeria’s Decentralized Power Sector

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on 20 July 2026 held a regional seminar in Yola for judges of the Adamawa and Taraba State High Courts to strengthen judicial understanding of Nigeria's evolving electricity market and the transition to subnational electricity regulation.

Representing the Chairman of NERC, the Vice Chairman, Dr Yusuf Ali, noted that the transfer of electricity market oversight to 16 states marks a new phase of decentralised regulation and underscored the importance of a well-informed judiciary in supporting the reforms.

Speaking at the seminar, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Adamawa State, Hon. Barr. Afraimu K. Jingi, noted that the new regulatory framework places State High Courts at the centre of resolving electricity-related disputes.

The Chief Judges of Taraba and Adamawa States, Hon. Justice Joel Filibus Agya and Hon. Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, welcomed the initiative, highlighting the increasing importance of judicial expertise as electricity sector reforms deepen.

Justice Abdulrahman also announced that the Adamawa State High Court is taking steps to adopt the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Practice Direction, following its earlier issuance by the Federal High Court.

The seminar, themed "Nigeria's Electricity Market in Transition: Law, Regulation and the Courts," forms part of NERC's ongoing efforts to strengthen judicial capacity and foster a sound understanding of the legal and regulatory framework governing Nigeria's electricity sector.

Technical Sessions Covered:

• Transitioning to a Decentralised Electricity Sector: Legal and Regulatory Perspectives, delivered by NERC Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe C. Akpeneye.
• Tariff Regulation in a Decentralised Electricity Market, delivered by NERC Vice Chairman, Dr Yusuf Ali.
• The Role of the Courts in Balancing Consumer Protection, Public Interest and Investor Confidence in Nigeria's Electricity Sector, delivered by Hon. Justice Ibrahim Buba (Rtd).