As group supports state-led electricity market reforms
Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms, especially those that relate to strengthening intellectual property, expanding tourism, and elevating Nigeria’s global presence.
The Forum resolved to collaborate with the Federal Government by establishing State Creative Economy Desks, co-created festivals, and the adoption of the Naija Season platform.
These highlights were contained in a communique at the end of the governors’ meeting at the NGF Secretariat, Abuja, on Wednesday night. In the three-point communique, which was signed by the chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and read by Governor Yahaya of Gombe State, the governors said the resolve to collaborate with the Federal Government came after they received a presentation from the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.
Represented by Mr Obi Asika, the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, the minister briefed the governors on the Strategic roadmap to grow the sector’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) contribution to $100 billion by 2030 and create over 3 million jobs.
“Key initiatives include the $200 million Creative Economy Development Fund, the $1 billion Creative & Tourism Infrastructure Corporation, and projects such as the Lagos Arena, Abuja Creative City, and Renewed Hope Cultural Villages,” the communique stated.
Earlier, the forum observed a minute of silence in honour of the father of their colleague, Governor Usman Ododo, late Pa Ahmed Momohsani Ododo, even as they extended heartfelt condolences to the Kogi State chief executive and his family, praying for the peaceful repose of his father’s soul.
The governors’ support for Tinubu came as the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), in partnership with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), wrapped up a major national initiative to support state-led electricity market reforms.
The State Learning Workshop Series focuses on Electricity Market Development, Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) and energy modelling software.
These sessions equipped policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders with the tools to design robust, sustainable, and investor-ready electricity markets at the state level, in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023.
Workshops in Lagos, Calabar, Kano and Jos have been completed, drawing participants from all the 36 states and the FCT and setting a strong precedent for what lies ahead.
Reflecting on the significance of this initiative, the Director. Legal/Head Power Desk at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr Chijioke Chuku, said that Nigeria’s electricity future depended on the capacity of states to lead with vision, clarity, and technical precision. Through the workshop series, we are equipping states not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to take charge of their electricity markets.
