Stakeholders in Nigeria’s electricity sector have called for cost reflective tariffs, transparent regulations and coordinated policies to attract private investment into Nasarawa State’s off grid electricity market and accelerate rural electrification.
According to a report by The Guardian, the call was made during the Nasarawa State Electricity Market Roundtable organised by the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA) in partnership with the Nasarawa State Electricity Board (NASEB), the Nasarawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NASERC), Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Husk Power Systems.
The roundtable, themed “Building a Competitive Electricity Market for Sustainable Economic Growth in Nasarawa State,” focused on strategies to expand electricity access through private sector participation.
Husk Power Systems Country Director and Vice President, Business Development, West Africa, Olu Aruike, said investor confidence would depend on a pricing framework that reflects the actual cost of electricity generation and distribution.
He cautioned against tariff suppression and urged NASERC to adopt the African Forum for Utility Regulators Tariff Tool, which determines tariffs based on factors such as generation sources, equipment costs, operations and maintenance, and consumer demand.
According to him, cost reflective tariffs would enhance investor confidence and strengthen consumer trust, creating a sustainable electricity market.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the proposed Nasarawa State Off Grid Electrification Policy 2025 to 2030 by the Nigeria Mini Grid Acceleration Programme (NoMAP).
Presenting the policy, NoMAP Programme Director, Adedotun Eyinade, said the framework was designed to implement the Nasarawa Electricity Law 2026 and support universal electricity access through private sector investment and industrial development.
The policy targets universal electricity access by 2030 through the deployment of 250 rural mini grids across the state’s 13 local government areas, installation of 500,000 standalone solar systems, creation of 60,000 off grid jobs and the electrification of schools, healthcare centres, markets, industrial parks and telecommunications facilities.
It also proposes the establishment of a Clean Energy Industrial Park by 2027 and a Nasarawa Electrification Fund to mobilise financing from government allocations, private investors, development partners, climate finance and green bonds.
Eyinade identified key challenges affecting investment, including the absence of interconnected mini grid regulations, lack of compensation mechanisms for stranded assets, limited network data, lengthy community approval processes and regulatory overlaps.
Responding, NASERC assured stakeholders that its mini grid regulations were nearing completion and that concerns raised during the meeting would be addressed.
Chief Executive Officer of ACOB Lighting, Alexander Obiechina, advised the commission to adapt existing Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission regulations rather than develop entirely new ones.
Other participants, including representatives of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and AEDC, called for integrated planning, fiscal incentives and land concessions to support energy infrastructure projects.
Managing Director of NASIDA, Ibrahim Abdullahi, encouraged investors to engage regulators early while urging regulatory agencies to maintain policies that encourage private sector participation.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access with the support of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Participants also visited Husk Power Systems’ 50 kilowatt solar mini grid in Alagye community and the one megawatt solar hybrid power facility at the Nasarawa State Secretariat as part of the programme.
Associate Director, Government Relations at Husk Power Systems, Emmanuel Effiong, said the roundtable demonstrated the importance of collaboration in building a sustainable and competitive electricity market.
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