The Forum of Commissioners for Power and Energy (FOCPEN) has strongly rejected a recent media claim that 24 Nigerian states have withdrawn from planned electricity reforms after the passage of the Electricity Act.
In an official statement, FOCPEN said a report published in The Guardian on September 23, 2025, was “erroneous, inaccurate, and does not reflect the true position and progress of Nigeria’s States.” The Guardian article had alleged that, due to worries about tariff levels and debt risks, many states were reconsidering their participation in the reforms.
The statement carries the names of Prince Eka Williams, Chairman of FOCPEN and Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy in Cross River State, and Engr. Mohammed Ihiezue Abdulmutalib, Acting Secretary of FOCPEN and Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development in Kogi State.
FOCPEN insists that “no State has withdrawn or reversed its commitment to electricity market reforms”. Rather, the forum says, more states are actively engaging with the changes under the Electricity Act. They note that states are at various stages of putting in place legislation, regulation, and market frameworks.
The group emphasized that transforming Nigeria’s electricity sector is “a journey, not an event”. They said the change is gradual and carefully structured to improve efficiency, accountability, and access to reliable power.
FOCPEN also asked media and stakeholders to present updates responsibly and avoid creating misleading impressions. They reiterated their readiness to partner with the Federal Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), development agencies, and private investors. Their joint goals include strengthening technical capacity, expanding rural electrification, and promoting renewable energy across Nigeria.
Some background: President Bola Tinubu signed the Electricity Act 2023 into law in June 2023. That law replaced the old Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005. Under the new law, states gain more authority over electricity regulation within their territories.
So far, 23 states have passed enabling laws to set up state-level electricity markets. Also, 14 states have had formal transfers of regulatory authority from NERC. According to FOCPEN, these moves show that states are not pulling back. They are moving forward, each at its own pace, in implementing reforms.
