The sixth edition of the National Council on Power (NACOP), held in Maiduguri, Borno State, has charted a roadmap aimed at consolidating power sector reforms and driving sustainable energy access across Nigeria with a particular focus on the fragile Northeast region.
Against the backdrop of growing demand, infrastructure insecurity, and urgent calls for market and regulatory reforms, the Council adopted far-reaching measures to strengthen grid stability, enhance capacity development, and accelerate renewable energy deployment.
The event, presided over by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, brought together 415 delegates from public and private sectors, as well as civil society organisations, underscoring the urgency to address the country’s energy challenges.
Under the theme, “Consolidating Reforms for a Sustainable Energy Future in Nigeria,” the Council held seven intensive plenary sessions focusing on critical issues ranging from sub-national collaboration, energy transition pathways, andinfrastructure security in high-risk areas, to bridging gender and capacity gaps in the sector.
According to the official communiqué, the Council adopted the need for the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) to look at ways of raising funds to support the request for the establishment and operationalisation of a Consolidated Power Training Fund as stipulated in the Electricity Act 2023.
The communiqué further stated that NAPTIN should also engage with stakeholders to fine-tune its submission for the establishment of a National Human Capital Development Framework (NHCDF), Structured Apprenticeship Program, and Gender Mainstreaming Strategy in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
“Council adopted the need for NAPTIN to engage sub-nationals and other critical stakeholders for the skills development of the Power Sector workforce to actualize the implementation of a national strategic initiative for accelerating job creation and sustainable economic development,” it stated.
On regional infrastructure challenges, the communiqué noted the adoption of constructing additional Double Circuit 330/132kV transmission lines to reinforce the power supply to the Northeast. It also encouraged the Borno State Government to collaborate with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to utilise available funds for solar mini-grid development and urged sub-national entities to devise multi-agency and multi-stakeholder engagements to provide security to critical power infrastructure.
“Council noted that on the request for the creation of Super Grid Networks and FACTS controller devices to help minimize losses on Transmission lines in the North East, there was an ongoing Northern corridor transmission project to stabilize the grid in the entire transmission network of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN); Council adopted the need for Borno State government to engage Yola Disco in improving and strengthening vandalised distribution networks in Borno State,” it stated.
The Council addressed market reforms and operational efficiency by adopting the recommendation that the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) should continuously engage with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Minister of Power to ensure Distribution Companies (DisCos) recapitalise to resolve challenges at the Transmission-Distribution and Distribution-Utilization interfaces in order to enhance grid stability.
“Council adopted that Chartered Institute of Power Engineers of Nigeria (CIPEN) should engage Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to avoid conflict of interest or overlapping functions on the implementation of the registration and licensing of Power Engineering Professionals and Firms in Nigeria by CIPEN. The Federal Ministry of Power will communicate the Council’s decision to CIPEN.
“Council adopted that for a bold agenda for market transformation to enhance Nigeria’s power sector efficiency through strategic market reforms and innovation, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) should continuously engage stakeholders, especially at the sub-national level, review and represent its submission in line with NBET’s upcoming status,” the communiqué added.
The communiqué also emphasised the importance of coordination across ministries on renewable energy, noting that there is an existing Renewable and energy efficiency policy driven by the Federal Ministry of Power, which should be shared with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources/Gas, Federal Ministry of Environment, and the National Council on Climate Change for proper coordination.
On tariff policy, the Council reaffirmed that electricity must be paid for at a cost-reflective rate, while subsidies must still exist for the vulnerable, but must be targeted and well administered at a manageable and sustainable level.
