Maureen Okpe
United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), in collaboration with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), has concluded a nationwide capacity-building initiative set to accelerate state-level electricity reform.
The State Learning Workshop Series, which took place in Lagos, Calabar, Kano, and Jos, brought together participants from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, focusing on electricity market development, integrated resource planning, and hands-on energy modelling.
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According to a statement by the British High Commission Abuja, This initiative comes on the heels of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralised Nigeria’s electricity governance and granted states the authority to independently regulate and develop their electricity markets.
The workshop series offered a practical roadmap to actualise that mandate, with key sessions addressing regulatory frameworks, private sector investment models, and data-driven planning using advanced energy modelling software.
Director-Legal and Head of Power Desk at the NGF Mr. Chijioke Chuku said, “the States now have the legal backing to lead electricity reform, but laws alone are not enough.”
“We must equip decision-makers with the technical skills and strategic insight to turn potential into progress. This series was designed to do exactly that.”
UKNIAF and NGF leveraged real-world case studies from pioneering states like Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Oyo, where state-level electricity markets are already taking shape.
The statement noted that, these early adopters provided practical lessons on designing investor-friendly electricity markets, setting up independent regulatory frameworks, and integrating local plans into national energy strategies.
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Participants also benefitted from UKNIAF’s technical expertise developed while supporting the Federal Ministry of Power in formulating Nigeria’s first National Integrated Electricity Policy and Integrated Resource Plan, both recently approved.
The workshops aimed to build a unified understanding across states, ensuring that each one can create a clear, reliable, and investor-attractive electricity market while contributing to national grid stability and long-term sustainability. By introducing participants to cutting-edge energy modelling tools, the series also laid the foundation for data-driven decision-making at the state level.
“Nigeria’s electricity future depends on the capacity of our states to lead with vision, clarity, and technical precision.
“The NGF is proud to partner with UKNIAF to ensure that the reforms under the Electricity Act 2023 translate into tangible improvements for all Nigerians, stated Mr. Chuku.