The planned construction of a 100-megawatt Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Ologbo, Edo State, has renewed calls for urgent regulatory reforms aimed at dismantling entrenched electricity monopolies and encouraging greater investment in the state’s power sector.
Speaking on the development, Lead Consultant on Power to the Nigeria Governors Forum, Odion Omonfoman, described the Ologbo IPP as a major milestone in Edo State’s efforts to achieve stable and reliable electricity supply.
“The Ologbo IPP groundbreaking event represents a defining moment in Edo State’s journey towards delivering reliable power within its boundaries,” he said.
For years, Edo State has faced inconsistent electricity supply, a challenge widely blamed for slowing industrial growth, increasing business costs, and lowering residents’ quality of life.
“The persistent cries of our citizens recently echoed in the protests at Ring Road, which Governor Monday Okpebholo remarkably joined in solidarity, are not just about darkness; they are about the stifling of small businesses, the high cost of living, and the frustration of an electricity monopoly that has long outlived its efficacy and necessity,” Omonfoman added.
While the governor’s support for protesters against the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has been positively received, Omonfoman stressed that such gestures must be backed by decisive policy actions.
He identified the immediate establishment of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ESERC) as a critical step, describing it as the “engine room” for driving the state’s electricity market.
“The path to breaking the BEDC monopoly and lighting up Edo State lie in the immediate and effective constitution of the ESERC,” Omonfoman said.
He further explained that the legal backing for the commission already exists, noting that the Edo State Electricity Law 2025 empowers ESERC to license and regulate all aspects of the electricity value chain, including generation and distribution.
Meanwhile, the Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity has stated that Nigeria’s power sector privatisation has yet to fully deliver the anticipated improvements in electricity supply and service delivery.
The group’s National Coordinator, Chinedu Bosah, made this known during an interview with journalists in Lagos.
Bosah said the reform process has fallen short of its objectives, as many consumers continue to face unreliable electricity supply.
He said electricity distribution companies (DisCos) must improve service delivery and address persistent issues such as estimated billing and inadequate metering.
According to him, some consumers still bear additional costs to access electricity, including funding infrastructure like transformers and meters.
Bosah also stressed the need for stakeholders to intensify efforts in boosting generation capacity and strengthening transmission systems.
He emphasised that sustained reforms and increased investment remain essential to improving efficiency and delivering better outcomes for electricity users nationwide.
