ASERA Assumes Full Electricity Regulatory Control in Abia State as NERC Hands Over Authority

Abia State has officially entered a new phase in its electricity governance following the transfer of regulatory authority from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA).

The development confirms ASERA as the legally recognized body responsible for overseeing electricity-related operations within Abia State, marking a significant shift from federal to state-level regulation of the power sector.

The announcement was made on Wednesday at the Abia State Government House in Umuahia by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ASERA, Mr. Emeka Onyegbule. According to him, the transition of regulatory powers will formally take effect on December 24, 2025, when ASERA fully assumes statutory responsibility over the state’s electricity market.

Constitutional Backing for State Electricity Regulation

Mr. Onyegbule explained that the handover aligns with constitutional reforms carried out in 2023, which expanded the powers of Nigerian states to independently manage electricity generation, transmission, and distribution within their territories.

The constitutional amendment laid the legal groundwork for decentralizing electricity governance and allowing states to establish their own electricity markets. As a result, states were permitted to create regulatory agencies to manage electricity activities without depending entirely on federal oversight.

Following the amendment and the emergence of state electricity markets across the country, NERC issued an interim regulatory order granting states approval to proceed with the creation and operation of electricity regulatory bodies.

ASERA Becomes Sole Electricity Regulator in Abia

With the federal approval now in place, ASERA has become the primary authority responsible for regulating electricity activities in Abia State. Mr. Onyegbule clarified that ASERA’s mandate now replaces that of NERC within the state’s jurisdiction.

He stated that the responsibility to supervise, regulate, and manage the Abia electricity market now rests entirely with ASERA, effectively ending NERC’s direct regulatory role in the state.

This means that all electricity-related operations — including power generation, transmission, distribution, and energy trading — are now subject to ASERA’s direct oversight and regulatory framework.

Consumer Complaints and Disputes Now Handled by ASERA

The ASERA Chairman further disclosed that all consumer-related issues, including disputes between electricity consumers and distribution companies, will no longer be escalated to NERC.

Instead, ASERA will now handle complaints, conflict resolution, enforcement actions, and compliance monitoring involving electricity providers and customers operating within Abia State.

This localized regulatory approach is expected to improve response time, enhance accountability, and ensure that electricity service providers comply with state-specific regulations.

Electricity Act of 2025 Strengthens Power Sector Reforms

Also speaking on the development, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, attributed the successful transition to the enactment of the Abia State Electricity Act of 2025.

According to him, the legislation provided the legal and institutional framework necessary to drive reforms and support growth in the electricity sub-sector. The law empowered ASERA to function independently and exercise regulatory authority across the entire electricity value chain in the state.

Metering and Billing Licenses to Encourage Private Investment

Prince Kanu also noted that ASERA has been granted the authority to issue licenses for electricity metering and billing operations. This move is designed to attract private sector participation in meter deployment and reduce long-standing challenges related to estimated billing.

By encouraging private investment in metering infrastructure, the state aims to improve transparency, enhance revenue collection, and deliver fair billing practices for electricity consumers across Abia State.