Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged state governments to end their reliance on the Federal Government for electricity solutions, challenging them to quickly establish functional power markets in line with the Electricity Act of 2023.
The Vice President made the declaration in Abuja on Wednesday during the opening of the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023, which brought together federal regulators and state institutions.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, Shettima stated that the newly enacted law decentralises electricity governance, granting states the autonomy to build intrastate power markets uniquely suited to their local economies and natural resources. He warned that building a competitive industrial economy remains impossible unless ongoing electricity reforms generate reliable power for households, businesses, and public institutions.
“The Act empowers states to develop and regulate intrastate electricity markets within the applicable constitutional and statutory framework. The size, diversity and endowments of this nation demand this decentralisation,” Shettima stated.
The Vice President urged state executives to urgently exploit their regional advantages, revealing the massive solar potential in Sokoto, Borno, and Katsina, the gas resources in the Niger Delta, and the hydroelectric opportunities in Niger and Kebbi. He stressed that states must transition these natural endowments into actionable investments that can power manufacturing, agriculture, and essential public services.
“Electricity supply must become a shared responsibility, pursued with innovation and accountability across the federation. Our states must shed the habit of waiting for Abuja to provide every answer,” he added.
Shettima, while directing his charge to state governments that are yet to establish their respective power regulatory commissions, warned that legislative bills cannot implement themselves. He insisted that states must begin their institutional preparations by setting up functional electricity regulatory bodies equipped with the requisite technical competence.
The Vice President proposed the creation of a voluntary National Electricity Reform Peer Review and Implementation Framework. This collaborative platform would involve the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Federal Ministry of Power, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and all state regulators to facilitate technical assistance and share critical developmental experiences.
The Vice President explained that the government alone cannot finance the overhaul from the treasury. He stressed that states must secure investor confidence by offering transparent licensing, predictable regulation, credible dispute resolution, and robust investment safeguards.
He also demanded stronger consumer protection frameworks to tackle arbitrary billing and poor service delivery, stressing that operators across the power sector value chain must be held accountable for service quality.
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