Temitope George is the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission, LASERC. She is a qualified legal practitioner in Nigeria, a Barrister of Gray’s Inn, England and Wales, an accredited mediator, and a recipient of the Lagos State Government Productivity Merit Award. As a seasoned Commonwealth Lawyer and Energy Executive with over 20 years of experience advising governments, multinational corporations, and development institutions on infrastructure, energy, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, George’s expertise spans regulatory compliance, project finance, stakeholder management, and dispute resolution with a proven track record of leading high-impact projects, managing multi-million-dollar funds, and driving strategic initiatives in dynamic environments. She previously served as Head of Mini-Grids and Productive Use Components at the Rural Electrification Agency under the World Bank and African Development Bank–funded Nigeria Electrification Project, where she led and oversaw large-scale renewable energy investments. She also served as the Pioneer Head of the Legal and Risk Management Department at the Office of Public-Private Partnerships (OPPP), Lagos. In this interview with MARIA DIAMOND, she talks about her role in leading a change in electricity regulation, the challenges in facilitating sustainable electricity and the ultimate efforts put into enhancing power supply for all residents of Lagos State.

Since you assumed the role as CEO of Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) late last year, what have you done differently to improve electricity supply in the state?

Since assuming office, my immediate priority has been establishing complete operational clarity across the state’s electricity landscape. We have instituted active monitoring of feeder performance to verify strict compliance with the Service-Based Tariff framework and consequences for non-performance. LASERC has also developed the Retail Electricity Supply Code (published for consultation at laserc.com.ng/consultation), which establishes clear rules for customer connections, metering, billing, tariffs, service standards, disconnections and consumer protection. It also introduces stronger mechanisms for consumer choice, guaranteed service standards, compensation for service failures and independent dispute resolution through an Electricity Ombudsman, laying the foundation for a more transparent, accountable and customer-focused electricity market in Lagos.

Eko Power Energy replaced Eko DisCo, while IE Energy Lagos replaced Ikeja Electric in 2025 – what prompted the replacements of these subsidiaries?

The creation of these entities was prompted by Lagos State’s readiness to take over regulatory oversight of its electricity market from NERC pursuant to the fifth alteration of the Constitution, and the Electricity Act 2023.

Following the enactment of the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024 which established LASERC and the transition of regulatory responsibility to the State, the Electricity Act required the existing DisCos operating in Lagos, Eko DisCo and Ikeja Electric to incorporate State-specific subsidiary companies and transfer the relevant Lagos assets, liabilities, employees and contractual obligations to those subsidiaries. Hence Eko Power Energy was established under Eko DisCo and IE Energy Lagos under Ikeja Electric. The important point is that the parent DisCos were not abolished; rather, their Lagos operations were separated into State-specific SubCos to operate under LASERC’s regulatory jurisdiction.

Although it’s a nationwide agenda, kindly shed more light on the ideology behind the sectioned electricity bands and how it works in Lagos?

The service-based band system was designed nationally to establish a direct link between tariff rates and actual hours of supply delivered. It structures service into 4-hour decreasing tiers, ranging from Band A (minimum 20 hours daily) down to Band E (minimum 4 hours daily). While LASERC inherited this structure, we recognise significant inequities in its current execution. For instance, Band A consumers pay ₦209.50/kWh for a 20-hour minimum baseline, whereas Band B consumers pay between ₦61.00 and ₦64.07/kWh for 16 hours –a disproportionate price jump for a 4-hour difference. We are currently conducting rigorous empirical studies to design a Lagos-specific tariff methodology. Our ultimate objective is a transparent, equitable framework where consumers pay for reliable value delivered, driving us toward state-wide power sufficiency by 2030.

There’s been a lot of talk on corporate energy supply restructuring under LASERC’s directives – but consumers are still wallowing in electricity supply anguish. Is this what restructuring really is in LASERC’s definition?

Restructuring is an intentional, phased transition from a centralised market with monopolies to a competitive decentralised market. We fully understand and validate the frustrations of Lagosians, both Band A customers paying high tariffs for interrupted service and lower-band customers facing systemic supply deficits. At LASERC, restructuring is defined by accountability and structural reform. It involves establishing firm legal frameworks to strip underperforming operators of exclusive rights, opening non-performing feeders to competitive suppliers, scaling embedded generation, and investments in distribution networks. True restructuring takes time and effort; the objective is clear: move away from the sector’s historical structural deficits and build an electricity market that is more responsive to and accountable to consumers.

What are the parameters used in the classification of bands A, B, C, D, E, and how does this affect electricity billing and tariff rates?

The defining parameter for band classification is the guaranteed daily minimum duration of supply delivered to a specific feeder and the pricing for the same.
●      Band A: Minimum of 20 hours/day

●      Band B: Minimum of 16 hours/day

●      Band C: Minimum of 12 hours/day

●      Band D: Minimum of 8 hours/day

●      Band E: Minimum of 4 hours/day

Under the current pricing structure, higher supply attracts significantly higher per-unit costs. However, because actual delivery often deviates from these benchmarks, LASERC’s ongoing tariff review is focused on aligning billing directly with verifiable service delivery and eliminating price disparities across tiers.

Despite regulations, Lagos State remains a major market for power generator set and petrol/diesel fuelling amongst others, as a source of alternative power supply. What is LASERC doing about this, and when will constant electricity become a way of life in Lagos?

Given the historical supply gaps across the value chain, consumers cannot be blamed for relying on self-generation to keep their homes and businesses running. Our objective is not to arbitrarily restrict generators, but to render them obsolete through grid reliability and alternative environmentally friendly power sources.

In several industrial and residential clusters across Lagos, targeted off-grid and embedded power solutions already deliver near 24-hour supply, effectively eliminating reliance on generators. By aggressively scaling embedded generation, expanding independent power projects (IPPs), and holding DisCos accountable to strict operational standards, we are building a framework to make uninterrupted grid power the standard across all of Lagos, our long-term strategy.

There are accusations that petrol stations and DisCo suppliers collaborate in low-brow areas to deliberately disrupt electricity supply to drive sales. What’s your take on this?

LASERC maintains an absolute zero-tolerance policy for market manipulation, anti-consumer conduct, or unethical practices. The idea that electricity supply could be deliberately suppressed for commercial gain elsewhere is unacceptable.

We take such allegations seriously, but we would not conclude that there is a deliberate collaboration between petrol stations and DisCos without evidence. The regulator’s responsibility is to investigate objectively, establish the facts and take appropriate action where a regulatory breach is established.

We encourage consumers and community structures to report suspicious supply patterns to the Commission. Any verified instance of collusion between distribution personnel and commercial fuel vendors will face severe regulatory sanctions, operational license review, and immediate criminal prosecution.

A while ago, there were frequent power grid crashes affecting Lagos. Why is there no adequate backup power arrangement when this happens?

Historically, Lagos State’s distribution infrastructure has relied heavily on an ageing national grid, meaning a system collapse upstream automatically blacked out the state. So, I would say the issue is not simply that ‘there is no backup.’ The bigger issue is that Lagos is still transitioning from a system that historically depended heavily on the national grid towards a more decentralised and resilient electricity market.

To break this vulnerability, LASERC is prioritising intrastate energy resilience. We are driving a decentralised model anchored on embedded power generation, dedicated Intrastate Transmission Networks (ITNs), and bilateral Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). By ring-fencing power generation within Lagos, we can insulate our state economy from national grid instability due to heavy reliance on the same and maintain uninterrupted local supply during wider system failures.

What is LASERC doing to ensure Lagos State – as the economic capital of West Africa – has constant access to power supply for homes and businesses?

With the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, we are positioning the state as a secure, transparent, and bankable environment for private energy investment. LASERC is streamlining regulatory approvals for Independent Power Producers (IPPs), backed by bankable power purchase agreements. By facilitating embedded generation projects tailored for commercial hubs, industrial clusters, and residential communities, we are attracting the private capital necessary to power the state’s expanding economy.

Give us a preview of LASERC’s priority list – what should Lagosians look forward to over the next one year?

Over the next 12 months, Lagosians can expect focused execution on four core deliverables:

●      Enforced Service Compliance: Underperforming feeders will be opened to competitive, qualified third-party operators.

●      Tariff Reform: Finalisation of our Lagos-specific tariff framework to ensure fair, consumption-aligned billing.

●      Accelerated Grid Decentralisation: Increased integration of embedded power plants to reduce reliance on the national grid.

●      Universal Smart Metering: Aggressive deployment of smart meters across distribution networks to end the scourge of estimated billing and energy theft once and for all.

As a woman occupying a leadership position in a traditionally male-dominated sector what challenges have you encountered?

Interestingly, the narrative around gender in our sector is evolving rapidly. Today, the two major DisCos operating within Lagos are also led by female chief executives, demonstrating that leadership in energy is increasingly defined by competence rather than gender. The primary challenge isn’t navigating room dynamics; it is the sheer scale and complexity of the power sector itself. That challenge keeps me thoroughly engaged. It demands continuous learning, rigorous data analysis, and deep operational understanding so that every regulation, decision, and statement coming from LASERC is grounded, impactful, and undeniable.

Tell us about the book you authored, 10 Hacks for Working in Naija – what prompted you to write it and what is it about?
Having studied and worked abroad before transitioning into the Nigerian corporate space, I experienced firsthand the nuanced cultural and professional shifts required to navigate our Nigerian work environment. What started as short, reflective posts on social media quickly resonated with a broad audience facing similar hurdles.

Rooted in Maya Angelou’s timeless principle, “When you learn, teach; when you get, give”, the book serves as a practical blueprint for navigating the Nigerian workplace. It offers actionable strategies on professional resilience, corporate communication, and workplace dynamics. One of the hacks is the necessity of intentional visibility: true career growth requires actively communicating your value and demonstrating results, rather than relying on silent competence alone.

You’re a leader with years of diverse professional achievements. What would you describe as your success story, and what advice do you have for women following a similar path?

I view my journey as an ongoing process of continuous growth, intentional reinvention, and quiet confidence, rather than a fixed destination. Success is defined by the lasting value you create, the integrity you bring to leadership, and the impact you leave on institutions.

My advice to emerging female professionals is to approach every assignment, no matter how minor it seems, with absolute excellence. Early in my career, tasks like logging billable work and hours on excel spreadsheets built my analytical discipline, while working in tele-sales developed my communication skills and resilience under pressure. Every experience is foundational.

Walk into every space knowing you belong there. Command respect not by being the loudest voice, but through quiet confidence, thorough preparation, undeniable competence, and consistent character.

With all the time invested into your career and responsibilities, you maintain a vibrant, healthy lifestyle; what is your wellness routine?

Sustaining high professional performance requires strict personal discipline and intentional daily habits. Physical wellness directly impacts my mental clarity and leadership endurance. I have been an active cyclist for over 12 years.

While my current executive responsibilities don’t allow for the long rides I once enjoyed, I make movement a non-negotiable part of my daily schedule. Even on the most demanding days, I dedicate time to a focused 10-to-15-minute indoor session to reset, maintain physical agility, and stay energised.