Oyo State has formally activated its Electricity Regulatory Commission (OYSERC), signaling a key shift in the state’s approach to managing and regulating its electricity market. The commission was inaugurated by Governor Seyi Makinde, who has tasked it with addressing long-standing inefficiencies in the state’s electricity supply chain. The move aligns with broader national reforms under the Electricity Act 2023 and the Oyo State Electricity Regulatory Commission Law 2024, which grant the state regulatory authority over its intrastate electricity market.

Leadership and Operational Focus

The Governor has appointed key officials to lead the commission in an acting capacity, including Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, the commissioner for energy and mineral resources, as acting chairman. Other acting members include Ayanniyi Taiwo as acting secretary, Solomon Oyekunle as acting technical member, Abiodun Adedoja as acting strategy member, and Omolara Omoremi as acting legal member. According to a statement from the governor’s special adviser on media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, these appointments are intended to drive the commission’s institutional development and establish foundational regulatory systems.

Shangodoyin emphasized that the acting appointments are a critical step in operationalizing the OYSERC and implementing the new regulatory framework. The commission will oversee licensing for generation, distribution, embedded generation, captive power, and mini-grid projects within the state. It will also regulate tariffs, resolve consumer complaints, monitor compliance with service standards, and promote the development of local electricity markets.

“By decentralizing regulatory oversight, Oyo state is now positioned to respond more quickly to electricity service gaps, strengthen accountability of operators, and encourage private sector investment in local power solutions,” Shangodoyin said in a statement.

Operational Milestones and Market Expansion

According to the acting chairman, the commission has already achieved several milestones in its initial operational period. These include reviewing consumer petitions, engaging with distribution operators and stakeholders, resolving select electricity disputes, and aligning with the Oyo State Electricity Priority Plan and Implementation Roadmap (2026-2031). The commission is also advancing its institutional systems, staffing, and administrative frameworks to support its regulatory functions.

The OYSERC’s primary goal is to open up the Oyo Electricity Market, encouraging embedded and distributed generation, attracting private sector investment, and improving service delivery. Governor Makinde has committed to making substantive appointments once the Oyo State Electricity Market Bill is formally passed into law.

“Our focus is to open up the Oyo Electricity Market. We are positioning the state to encourage embedded and distributed generation, attract private sector investment, improve service delivery and accountability, strengthen consumer confidence, accelerate infrastructure expansion, and enhance power reliability across the state,” Shangodoyin said.

Collaboration with National Regulators

To ensure regulatory coordination and a smooth market transition, the OYSERC held a high-level technical meeting with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on February 12. The meeting focused on jurisdictional clarity under the Electricity Act 2023, licensing and regulatory frameworks, tariff oversight, consumer protection systems, compliance monitoring, digital regulatory platforms, and institutional capacity development.

The engagement reaffirmed the spirit of cooperative federalism embedded in Nigeria’s electricity reform and laid the groundwork for structured collaboration between federal and state regulators. This partnership is expected to facilitate the integration of Oyo State’s electricity market into the national grid while maintaining local control over key regulatory functions.

According to Shangodoyin, the commission’s efforts are a milestone that highlights Oyo State’s commitment to regulatory clarity, institutional robustness, financial sustainability, and improved electricity access for residents, businesses, and public institutions.

The OYSERC’s establishment is expected to have a tangible impact on ordinary citizens by reducing power outages, improving service quality, and supporting private sector participation in electricity generation and distribution. The commission’s regulatory oversight is also anticipated to bring greater transparency and accountability to the state’s electricity sector.

Looking ahead, the commission faces the challenge of operationalizing its regulatory framework within a tight timeline. With the Oyo State Electricity Market Bill expected to be passed soon, the acting members will need to lay the groundwork for full regulatory authority. The success of the OYSERC will depend on its ability to coordinate with federal regulators, attract private investment, and deliver on its promise of improved electricity access and reliability.