Lagos, Federal Regulators Plan Joint Inspections, Metering, Campaigns for Public Safety

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) have agreed to collaborate on joint technical inspections, metering initiatives and multilingual public-safety campaigns aimed at improving electrical safety and consumer protection across Lagos and beyond.

The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by LASERC’s MD/CEO, Temitope George, to NEMSA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, where NEMSA’s MD/CEO and chief electrical inspector of the federation, Olusegun Adesayo, said stronger federal–state cooperation is critical as the sector adjusts to reforms under the Electricity Act 2023.

Adesayo described the engagement as timely and said the partnership would focus on harmonising technical standards, carrying out coordinated inspections, improving metering standards and enforcement, and conducting joint public enlightenment campaigns in English, Yoruba and Pidgin to curb meter tampering, theft and unsafe installations, according to the agency’s head, Public Affairs, Ama Umoren.

He noted that the engagement provides a valuable platform for both organisations to deepen institutional collaboration, share technical expertise, and develop practical frameworks for cooperation in electrical safety enforcement, technical inspections, compliance monitoring, metering standards, capacity building, and consumer protection.

According to the NEMSA MD/CEO, stronger collaboration between the two organizations will improve compliance with technical regulations, boost investor and consumer confidence, and contribute to the delivery of a safer, more reliable, and sustainable electricity supply across Nigeria.

He commended LASERC for the significant progress it has made in establishing a robust regulatory framework for the Lagos State electricity market. He reiterated that NEMSA remains the statutory agency responsible for enforcing technical standards and regulations relating to electrical installations, electricity meters, and other electrical equipment to safeguard lives, property, and critical national infrastructure.

He further stressed that achieving a safe, efficient, and resilient electricity sector requires sustained collaboration among regulators, operators, electricity licensees, and other key stakeholders.

He added that enhanced collaboration would boost compliance, investor and consumer confidence, and contribute to a safer, more reliable electricity supply nationwide.

Speaking during the visit, the MD/CEO of LASERC, Temitope George, underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in building a commercially viable and sustainable electricity market in Lagos State.

She explained that the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024, signed into law by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represents a major milestone in the state’s electricity reform agenda.

According to her, the legislation established LASERC, the Lagos Independent System Operator (LISO), and the Lagos State Electrification Agency to drive the development of a competitive, reliable, and sustainable electricity market.

George acknowledged NEMSA’s pivotal role under the Electricity Act 2023 as Nigeria’s designated authority for enforcing technical standards and ensuring compliance in electrical installations, metering systems, and safety regulations.

Describing Lagos as a strategic hub for electricity sector reform, she observed that despite contributing nearly 30 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and having a population exceeding 20 million people, the state continues to face significant electricity supply challenges.

She proposed the establishment of a LASERC–NEMSA Technical Safety Partnership anchored on the Electricity Act 2023 and the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024. The partnership, she explained, would focus on harmonising technical standards, developing joint inspection protocols, creating shared databases of certified electrical contractors, promoting public awareness of electrical safety, strengthening compliance with mini-grid safety standards, enhancing artisan professionalism, and improving consumer protection.

She also advocated for joint public enlightenment campaigns in English, Yoruba, and Pidgin to educate consumers on electrical safety, overload prevention, safe installation practices, and the dangers of electricity theft and meter tampering. She further proposed collaborative capacity-building programmes for electrical artisans to strengthen professionalism, ethical standards, and compliance with safety regulations.

Both organisations expressed confidence that the proposed partnership would serve as a model for effective federal-state collaboration in implementing Nigeria’s electricity sector reforms, while promoting safer electrical infrastructure, a more skilled workforce, enhanced consumer confidence, and a more efficient electricity market nationwide.