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The Edo State Government is exploring ways to leverage the 450-megawatt power plant operated by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) in Benin City to improve electricity supply to households, businesses and industries across the State.
The initiative is part of efforts to take advantage of the decentralisation of Nigeria’s electricity sector under the Electricity Act 2023, which empowers States to regulate their electricity markets and develop new arrangements for power generation and distribution.
The plan emerged during a meeting between the State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Paul Usenbo; Chairman of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ESERC), Dr Shittu Shaibu; and NDPHC delegation which includes, its Executive Director, Strategy and Commercials, Patrick Obayangbon and General Manager, Commercial/Business Development, Prof. Steven Ogaji,
The meeting focused on resolving regulatory challenges, strengthening cooperation and establishing mechanisms to enable licensed electricity providers to access power generated by NDPHC and distribute it to consumers across Edo.
Speaking at the strategic meeting, Usenbo welcomed the company’s interest in partnering with the State, describing the engagement as an opportunity to develop a more efficient and inclusive electricity market.
He said, “Legislative and regulatory reforms are necessary for State governments to maximise the benefits of the decentralised electricity system.”
The commissioner reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to strengthening the legal framework and implementing reforms to support the growth of the electricity market.
He added that collaboration among the government, the regulatory commission and other stakeholders was essential to addressing electricity supply challenges and expanding access to reliable power.
In his remarks, Shaibu explained that the commission operates under the Electricity Act 2023 and the Edo State Electricity Law 2025, which he said provide the legal framework for regulating the state’s electricity market.
According to him, the commission has commenced regulatory oversight through Order O01, which empowers it to supervise electricity activities in Edo.
Shaibu disclosed that ESERC had licensed BEDC Electricity Edo Limited to distribute electricity within the state.
He added that the commission had also begun registering captive power generators and issuing permits to operators, including Presco Limited, Dangote Cement and about 20 other companies transferred from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Also speaking, Obayangbon said cooperation between federal and State governments was critical to achieving the objectives of the 2023 electricity sector reforms.
He explained that the NDPHC delegation visited Edo to strengthen engagement with the State and explore opportunities arising from the decentralisation of the electricity market.
Similarly, NDPHC’s General Manager, Commercial and Business Development, Prof. Steven Ogaji, said Edo was strategically positioned to benefit from the reforms because of the presence of the 450MW power plant in Benin City.
He said the company was engaging with the State regulator to develop arrangements that would allow licensed electricity providers to access power generated by NDPHC for distribution to consumers.
Ogaji noted that NDPHC is jointly owned by the Federal, state and local governments, expressing optimism that the partnership would improve electricity access for residents, businesses and industries across Edo.
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