ASERA Takes Full Control of Electricity Regulation in Abia

The Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) has officially assumed regulatory control of the state’s electricity market following the completion of a six-month transition from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ASERA, Emeka Onyegbule, announced this in Umuahia on Tuesday, describing the development as a major milestone in the state’s power sector reforms.

Onyegbule explained that the transition followed the 2023 constitutional amendment empowering states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their territories.

In response, Abia enacted the Abia State Electricity Law in April 2025, paving the way for the creation of a state-owned electricity market.

According to Onyegbule, NERC had issued an interim order granting states six months to complete the transition process, which included setting up institutional structures, appointing a governing board, and building regulatory capacity.

With that period now concluded, regulation of the Abia electricity market officially falls under ASERA.

“That order from NERC came out on the 24th of June, 2025 and it had a time frame of six months for that transition to happen.

“That transition entails putting in the necessary structures in place, appointing the board, and equipping them to do the work which NERC has been doing.

“Today is a very significant milestone in the life of the ASERA as we have completed the six-month transition as at yesterday.

“So effectively from today, the responsibility and the mandate to regulate oversight and manage the Abia state’s electricity markets falls on ASERA and no longer NERC,.

“With this transfer, all activities within the electricity value-chain, including generation, transmission, distribution and trading fall under the direct oversight and regulation of the Authority effect from the date of the Transfer Order”, Onyegbule stated.

He said the new framework would bring electricity regulation closer to consumers, ensure quicker complaint resolution, enhance accountability among operators, and strengthen consumer protection. He added that ASERA has commenced the development of operational regulations and will engage stakeholders before final approval.

Onyegbule stated that the establishment of the state electricity market is expected to boost investor confidence, promote competition, reduce reliance on the national grid, and ultimately improve supply to homes and businesses.

He further assured that estimated billing practices would be closely monitored, and efforts made to close the metering gap within three years.

Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, said the development aligns with the Abia 25-Year Development Plan and is central to industrial growth, economic expansion, and improved service delivery.

Monday noted that ASERA now has the authority to issue metering and billing licenses and ensure cost-reflective tariffs under a transparent regulatory system, with safeguards for vulnerable consumers.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described the takeover as a landmark achievement of the Alex Otti administration, marking a new era of accountability, efficiency, and improved service delivery in the state’s electricity sector.