Members of the delegations with the Edo State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Paul Usenbo during the visit in Benin City yesterday
The Edo State Government and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) have strengthened efforts to expand electricity supply across the state through strategic collaboration aimed at improving power generation, distribution and access for residents, businesses and industries.
The partnership follows the decentralisation of Nigeria’s electricity sector under the Electricity Act 2023, which empowers state governments to establish and regulate their electricity markets.
The collaboration was discussed during a meeting between the Edo State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Paul Usenbo; the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Shittu Shaibu; and an NDPHC delegation led by its Executive Director, Strategy and Commercials, Hon. Patrick Obayangbon.
Discussions focused on addressing regulatory bottlenecks, strengthening cooperation and exploring opportunities to utilise NDPHC’s power assets to meet Edo State’s growing electricity needs.
Speaking during the meeting, Usenbo expressed delight at NDPHC’s interest in partnering with the state, describing the engagement as an opportunity to develop a more effective and inclusive electricity ecosystem.
He stressed the need for legislative and regulatory reforms that would enable subnational governments to take full advantage of the decentralisation of the power sector and create an enabling environment for improved electricity services.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to implementing necessary reforms and strengthening existing legislative frameworks to support the development of the electricity market.
He also welcomed the involvement of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission and other relevant stakeholders, noting that closer cooperation would help address the state’s power challenges and meet increasing electricity demand.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ESERC), Dr. Shittu Shaibu said the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission was inaugurated by the state governor on August 27, 2026, to oversee and regulate electricity activities within the state.
He explained that the commission operates under the Electricity Act 2023 and the Edo State Electricity Law 2025, which provide the legal framework for regulating the state’s electricity market.
Shaibu disclosed that the commission had commenced regulatory control of the Edo electricity market through Order O01, which empowers it to regulate electricity activities within the state.
He added that the commission had licensed BEDC Electricity Edo Limited, a subsidiary responsible for electricity distribution in Edo, and had begun registering and issuing permits to captive power generators, including Presco Limited, Dangote Cement and about 20 other companies transferred from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
The commission chairman further revealed that Order O02 requires all Band A electricity customers in Edo State to be metered by October 31, 2026.
According to him, customers on Band A who remain unmetered from November 1, 2026, will be billed under Band C, in line with the commission’s directive to the distribution company.
He said compliance was being monitored weekly, while the state government was also implementing an Edo State Mass Metering Programme to expand metering coverage across the state.
Also speaking, NDPHC’s Executive Director of Strategy and Commercials, Hon. Patrick Obayangbon, described collaboration between federal and state governments as essential to achieving the objectives of the 2023 electricity reform.
He said the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation following the decentralisation of the electricity market, adding that the meeting was fruitful and had improved understanding between both parties, with a renewed commitment to work together for the benefit of Edo residents and Nigerians.
Similarly, Professor Steven Ogaji, NDPHC’s General Manager of Commercial and Business Development, said Edo State was strategically positioned to benefit from the reforms because of the presence of a major power plant in Benin City with an installed capacity of 450 megawatts.
He explained that NDPHC was engaging with the state’s electricity regulator to establish arrangements through which licensed electricity providers could access power generated by the company and distribute it to consumers across the state.
Ogaji added that NDPHC is jointly owned by the federal, state and local governments, expressing optimism that the partnership would improve electricity access for households, businesses and industries throughout Edo State.
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