Adelabu Tasks NEMSA Board on Self-funding within 2 Years

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has received a two-year deadline from the federal government to leave the public payroll and rely entirely on its internally generated revenue (IGR).

Speaking at the inauguration of NEMSA’s new board in Abuja on Tuesday, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu revealed that two years ago, he intervened at the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to keep the agency on the government payroll. He noted that the government now plans to delist NEMSA, citing its capacity to fund staff salaries and overheads independently.

“You have two years,” Adelabu told the board, recalling his advocacy: “I fought the battle on your behalf when they were almost removing NEMSA from the federation’s payroll… NEMSA is not yet mature without revenue, so let’s give them another two years.”

The minister urged the board to innovate in revenue generation through value-added services in the electricity sector, retaining most funds rather than remitting them fully to the Treasury Single Account.

He pledged to engage the Ministry of Finance to support this transition and address NEMSA’s challenges, including staff training needs.
Adelabu emphasised the need for updated local and international training to meet the sector’s technical demands. He committed to partnering with foreign institutions for such programs and charged the board to curb substandard materials in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), linking grid collapses to poor compliance with standards.

“Safety is non-negotiable,” he stressed, insisting only quality materials be used.

He also highlighted regulatory shifts: 17 states now enjoy autonomy from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) under the amended 2023 Electricity Act, with local governments poised to enter the sector.

The board comprises Chief Ikechi Nwosu (Chairman), Mohammed Liman (Secretary), Zubair Aburrauf Idris (North West), Alhaji Sani Shehu (North East), Engr. Charles Asogwa (South East), Igbah E. (North Central), Engr. Adeyemi Adetunji (South West), and Engr. Emmanuel Nkpeh (South South).
In response, Chairman Nwosu affirmed the board’s commitment to collaboration with stakeholders. He stressed NEMSA’s technical nature requires more inspectors—”a lot of foot soldiers”—and robust local and international training to fulfill its regulatory mandate effectively.