The Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (EKSERB) and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) have begun discussions on a strategic partnership to expand access to reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity across Ekiti State.
The State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ engagement in Ado-Ekiti attended by officials of EKSERB, NDPHC, electricity distribution companies, investors and development partners.
Aluko said the collaboration aims to strengthen power generation, transmission and distribution to improve electricity supply for households, businesses, industries and other key sectors of the state’s economy.
He noted that the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s electricity sector — particularly the decentralisation of the electricity market, which empowers states to develop solutions tailored to their energy needs.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to initiatives that guarantee reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity, and said he expects the NDPHC partnership to accelerate power sector reforms, improve service delivery and promote industrialisation and socio-economic development.
Earlier, EKSERB Executive Secretary Engr. Samson David described the NDPHC delegation’s visit as timely and consistent with the state’s vision of a transparent, competitive and investor-friendly electricity market.
David said the Electricity Act 2023 and the Ekiti State Electricity Reform Law 2023 provide the legal framework for the state to regulate its electricity market, attract private investment and expand access to quality power.
He welcomed NDPHC’s disclosure that it currently has more than 1,000 megawatts of available generation capacity for sale, calling it a significant opportunity for Ekiti to improve supply, stimulate industrial development, create jobs and enhance residents’ quality of life.
He said the state government remains committed to promoting private-sector participation, supporting embedded generation, expanding distribution networks, accelerating metering to eliminate estimated billing, encouraging renewable energy development and improving service delivery to consumers.
Speaking for NDPHC, Mr. Uwakwe Azikiwe said the visit aimed to strengthen collaboration with state electricity regulators and other stakeholders to improve access, reliability and efficiency. He stressed that sustained cooperation among government institutions, regulators, generation and distribution companies, investors, financial institutions, technology providers and consumers is essential to building a resilient, sustainable electricity market capable of driving economic growth.
He added that the proposed partnership would allow NDPHC to maximise existing power infrastructure in Ekiti while generating revenue to reinvest in expanding capacity and extending reliable power to more communities.
Also speaking, NDPHC official, Mr Najib Abbas said the partnership aligns with the ongoing decentralisation of Nigeria’s electricity market, allowing states to craft solutions suited to their specific energy needs.
Mrs. Wamba Bilikisu, also of NDPHC, said the collaboration is expected to bring lower electricity tariffs, improved service reliability, increased investment in power infrastructure, wider electricity access and stronger support for economic and industrial activity.
Stakeholders also explored opportunities under the Eligible Customer Framework, which allows qualified large-scale electricity consumers to buy power directly from generation companies. Participants said the initiative would improve reliability, cut operational costs, stimulate industrial growth and strengthen the state’s push toward a sustainable, competitive electricity market.