Expert Questions Lagos Power Regulation Shift

A power expert, Chinedu Bosah, has expressed doubts over transferring regulatory oversight from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the Lagos State regulator.

The national coordinator of the Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE), Bosah, shared his concerns in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

He stressed that the move would not significantly improve the electricity situation in Lagos, as it failed to address deeper issues in the power sector.

According to Bosah, the Lagos State Electricity Law of 2024 neglects the core inefficiencies in power generation, transmission, and distribution within the state.

He argued that without overhauling these sectors, shifting regulatory control merely changes authority, without bringing about meaningful reforms or policy changes.

“The real challenge facing Lagos, other states, and the Federal Government is achieving affordable and reliable electricity for all Nigerians,” Bosah stated.

He noted Nigeria’s electricity crisis stems from poor investment, and that without a clear plan to improve generation, transmission, and distribution, changes remain symbolic.

“For instance, Nigeria has an installed capacity of 14,000MW, but only about 5,000MW is currently generated,” Bosah pointed out.

He blamed this shortfall on high gas costs and the lack of key infrastructure for gas supply, as well as electricity transmission and distribution.

Bosah added that rising electricity tariffs, which most Nigerians cannot afford, further complicate efforts to solve the power crisis.

“Without effectively using our existing capacity, Nigeria cannot exceed 14,000MW. Yet we need at least 33,000MW to meet national energy demands,” he said.

Bosah questioned reliance on private investment to resolve the sector’s issues, noting the failure of privatisation over the last 11 years.

In spite of multiple government interventions and bailouts, Bosah said the power sector had seen little actual improvement in service delivery or infrastructure.

“Electricity is capital-intensive. Believing private investment alone will solve the problem is a mistaken idea disproved by a decade of experience,” he said.

He criticised the current tariff policy, claiming it favours the rich and middle class, focusing on profits rather than meeting broad public energy needs.

“There is no substitute for major investment in power. Every industrialised nation developed by first investing heavily in infrastructure,” Bosah stressed.

He argued Nigeria’s leaders cannot drive true industrialisation through regulation alone without massive public investment in power generation, transmission, and distribution.

Bosah urged both Lagos State and the federal government to rethink privatisation and commit to substantial public investment for real progress in the electricity sector.