NEMSA, GenCos Commit To Joint Standards To Tackle Power Risks

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) have committed to intensified joint efforts on enforcing technical standards and promoting electrical safety nationwide, in a move to confront escalating power risks in Nigeria’s fragile electricity sector.

The pledge emerged during a high-level courtesy visit by APGC’s managing director/chief executive officer, Dr Joy Ogaji, to NEMSA’s headquarters in Abuja. Accompanied by the technical aide to the managing director of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL), Sunday Adelake,
Ogaji used the platform to laud NEMSA’s pivotal regulatory functions within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

“NEMSA’s enforcement of technical standards, inspection of electrical installations, and certification of electricity meters and instruments are fundamental to the safety, reliability, and sustainability of Nigeria’s power infrastructure,” she stated during the meeting.

Ogaji highlighted the urgent need for heightened public awareness of NEMSA’s core activities, including meter testing, certification, and compliance monitoring.

“Greater visibility of the Agency’s work will encourage widespread compliance with established standards and promote the efficient use of electricity across the country,” she remarked, underscoring how such efforts could mitigate frequent outages, equipment failures, and safety hazards plaguing Nigerian homes and industries.

To solidify this partnership, Dr Ogaji proposed regular collaborative engagements between NEMSA and APGC. “These platforms will facilitate knowledge sharing, improved coordination, and sustained progress within the power generation sector,” she added, signaling a proactive stance amid Nigeria’s ongoing energy transition challenges, from aging grids to rising demand.

Responding, NEMSA’s managing director/CEO and chief electrical inspector of the federation, Olusegun Adesayo, welcomed the delegation and affirmed the agency’s eagerness to collaborate. “NEMSA is ready to work closely with APGC and other stakeholders in the NESI to ensure strict compliance with electrical standards, improved operational safety, and enhanced service delivery across the power value chain,” Adesayo declared.

He stressed the broader implications for national development:

“Sustained collaboration among sector players is vital in advancing our shared goal of strengthening Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure while safeguarding lives and property through effective inspection, testing, and certification of electrical installations and equipment.

“The discussions come at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s power sector, where unreliable supply and safety lapses have cost billions in economic losses and claimed lives through incidents like electrocutions and grid collapses.

By aligning on standards enforcement, NEMSA and APGC aim to foster a more resilient ecosystem, potentially paving the way for investments in metering, renewables, and grid modernisation.
This strategic alliance exemplifies how public-private partnerships can drive reforms, boost operational efficiency, and deliver a safer, more sustainable electricity supply for millions of Nigerians.