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…Ends S/Africa Evacuation As Final Flight Airlifts 308 Nigerians
ABUJA – The Federal Government on Wednesday constituted a nine-member inter-agency committee to address implementation challenges arising from the decentralisation of Nigeria’s electricity market, in a move aimed at accelerating the operationalisation of the Electricity Act, 2023 and ensuring a seamless transition to the country’s new electricity governance framework.
The committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Power at the close of a high-level stakeholders’ workshop convened by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Wednesday.
According to NERC, the committee is expected to review issues identified during the workshop, engage relevant stakeholders across the power sector and submit its recommendations within four weeks.
Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, the Minister of Power, who chairs the Power Sector Inter- Agency Committee, said the body was established to drive sustained collaboration among institutions, resolve emerging implementation issues and support the effective rollout of the Electricity Act, 2023.
The Electricity Act, signed into law in 2023, fundamentally reshaped Nigeria’s electricity industry by allowing states to establish and regulate their own electricity markets, ending decades of exclusive federal control and paving the way for a decentralised electricity sector.
Addressing participants at the workshop, the minister described the ongoing transition as one of the most significant reforms undertaken in Nigeria’s power sector in decades, stressing that its success would depend on collaboration rather than institutional rivalry.
“Nigeria’s transition to a decentralised electricity market is one of the most significant reforms in the power sector in decades. Its success will depend not on institutional competition, but on collaboration, regulatory certainty, and our shared commitment to delivering better outcomes for Nigerians,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to remain focused on strengthening the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), describing reliable electricity as the backbone of national development.
“Electricity remains the single most important enabler of economic growth, industrialisation, job creation, digital transformation and improved quality of life. Every sector of our economy depends upon it, including manufacturing, agriculture, mining, financial services, telecommunications and information technology,” he stated.
According to him, the Federal Government’s broader economic aspirations under the Renewed Hope Agenda are closely tied to the availability of reliable and sustainable electricity supply. “Indeed, every national aspiration under the Renewed Hope Agenda rests upon the availability of reliable electricity.
The responsibility before us, therefore, extends beyond institutional mandates. It is a national obligation,” the minister added.
He also clarified that the decentralisation of the electricity market should not be interpreted as a fragmentation of the national power system but as a strategic redistribution of responsibilities designed to improve efficiency while maintaining an integrated electricity ecosystem.
“The decentralisation of the electricity market should not be viewed as fragmentation. It should rather be understood as the intelligent distribution of responsibilities within one integrated national electricity ecosystem,” he said.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement among federal and state institutions, regulators and other industry stakeholders during the workshop, noting that participants had agreed to deepen consultations as implementation of the new electricity framework progresses.
He said the collaborative approach would help build a modern, reliable and investor- friendly electricity market capable of attracting new investments, improving service delivery and supporting Nigeria’s economic growth. “I am encouraged by the constructive engagement of all stakeholders, including the decision to deepen consultations as we continue to strengthen the implementation framework.
“Together, we are laying the foundation for a modern, reliable and investor-friendly electricity market that delivers improved service, attracts investment and powers Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said.
The establishment of the committee comes as more states move to establish independent electricity regulatory commissions and develop state electricity markets under the powers granted by the Electricity Act, a development widely regarded as a major milestone in the ongoing reform of the country’s power sector.
FG Ends S/Africa Evacuation As Final Flight Airlifts 308 Nigerians
Meanwhile, with the safe arrival of 308 returnees on the final government-sponsored flight, the Federal Government has officially completed its evacuation mission for Nigerians targeted by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday morning. It also conveyed three Nigerian government officials who coordinated the evacuation exercise.
Dozens of returnees, including women, children and families carrying luggage, were seen disembarking from the aircraft and being received by officials at the airport.
Many appeared exhausted but relieved as they moved through processing areas, while airport personnel coordinated their arrival and assisted them with onward movement.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu- Ojukwu, said the latest batch brought the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to more than 1,500.
In a statement posted on her X handle, she said the final evacuation flight departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 6:30a.m. South African time.
“The last Federal Government- sponsored flight conveying our nationals home from South Africa as a result of the xenophobic protests and attacks on black migrants which have engulfed that country departed Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, this morning… Over 1,500 nationals have been evacuated.
The number of evacuees on this flight is 308 nationals and three Nigerian officials. Our prayers are for a safe return,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the emergency airlift, saying his intervention saved lives and demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
“I wish, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Government’s diplomatic missions, to express our profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for these emergency rescue missions.
“His decisive leadership and compassionate intervention in facilitating the successful airlift and safe return of Nigerians stranded in South Africa, imperiled by the spate of xenophobic incidents, no doubt saved many precious lives which could have been lost if not for this timely action.
“His extension of the evacuation exercise even beyond the June 30 deadline issued by anti-migrant groups in South Africa speaks volumes about his unwavering commitment to the welfare of our nationals in crisis situations.
“His prompt directive to bring our nationals home at the beginning of these protests and attacks against migrants in South Africa, and his concern for the welfare of our citizens endangered as a result, once again demonstrates his steadfast dedication to the security, well-being and protection of the dignity of the Nigerian national, irrespective of where he or she resides. “Your Excellency, you promised… you delivered.”
The minister also commended Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in South Africa and Air Peace for their roles in the evacuation.
“Our commendations also go to the Acting High Commissioner of the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, Amb. Alex Ajayi; the Consul-General of our Consulate in Johannesburg, Amb. Nini Okey Uche; the hardworking officers of our missions in South Africa, as well as the management and staff of Air Peace Airlines involved in these operations.
“To the good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we say thank you for your faith, patience and the confidence reposed in us throughout this process,” she added.
