The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Musiliu Oseni, has described the recurring collapse of the national power grid as a national embarrassment.

Oseni made the remark on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 2026 NERC Seminar for Judges, noting that the Commission has intensified monitoring of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) project, which is expected to significantly improve grid reliability.

He explained that the recent establishment of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) made it necessary to brief members of the judiciary on the rules and regulations governing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

“The Commission has intensified oversight of the implementation of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) project. This is aimed at addressing the recurring incidents of grid collapse, which have become a national embarrassment,” Oseni said.

He added that the Commission was championing several initiatives, including the development of a regulatory framework to attract private investment into transmission infrastructure, efforts to power the real economy, and the creation of clusters of excellence with access to reliable electricity.

“We have also established customer care clinics across all distribution companies to improve service delivery,” he added.

Declaring the seminar open, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said the programme was designed to deepen judicial understanding of the legal frameworks governing electricity regulation, administrative compliance, and dispute resolution.

According to her, the engagement was convened at a critical moment in the evolution of Nigeria’s electricity sector, which is experiencing far-reaching regulatory reforms, rapid technological innovation, and an increasing demand for judicial clarity and consistency in the interpretation and application of electricity laws.

“The Nigerian electricity sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by legislative reforms, policy innovations, increased private sector participation, and the progressive decentralisation of regulatory authority to state-level institutions,” the CJN said.

She noted that these developments had significantly increased the complexity of legal issues before the courts, making judicial familiarity with sector-specific regulations and practices indispensable.

“The Judiciary therefore bears a critical responsibility to interpret statutes, review regulatory decisions, and resolve disputes in a manner that promotes legal certainty, economic efficiency, and public confidence in the justice system,” she added.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by the Director of Distribution, Mustapha Babaumara, said Nigeria’s electricity market was undergoing a fundamental transition marked by evolving regulatory structures, increased decentralisation, and a growing role for sub-national actors. (Vanguard)

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