CARE calls for restatement of effective dispute resolution mechanisms
By Yunus Yusuf
As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, the Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE) has called for the immediate reinstatement of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) forums and complaints resolution mechanisms.
The coalition said this should be allowed until State regulatory bodies are fully operational with viable consumer protection systems.
SSpeakingin an interview on Thursday in Lagos, CARE’s National Coordinator, Mr Chinedu Bosah, said the closure of NERC’s consumer forums without adequate state-level replacements has left millions of electricity consumers stranded and vulnerable to exploitation.
“Any electricity consumer with a complaint is now stranded,” Bosah said.
“NERC has shut down its forums, and more than seven months after regulatory authority was transferred to the states, bodies like the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) have yet to set up proper complaint and dispute resolution frameworks.
Bosah emphasised that the only path forward for Nigeria’s struggling power sector is massive public investment and democratic oversight.
He warned that the continued pursuit of privatisation policies would further cripple the sector.
“The private sector players are too weak—financially and technically—to develop the power sector,” he said.
“Their narrow, profit-driven motives cannot deliver affordable and regular electricity for Nigerians.
“Continuing down this privatisation path is suicidal.
“CARE is demanding an end to the privatisation of the power sector, the renationalisation of critical assets.
“And the establishment of democratic structures that include workers, experts, and consumer representatives in the management process.
“Only a public-interest programme can guarantee affordable and regular electricity to all Nigerians,” Bosah insisted.
Bosah lamented Nigeria’s poor power performance even after 65 years of independence, describing it as a “shameful outcome” of decades of mismanagement and underfunding.
“Nigeria generates only about 5,500 megawatts for a population of over 220 million, despite an installed capacity of 14,000 MW,” he noted.
“Transmission and distribution infrastructure remains in disrepair, and no meaningful improvement appears likely under current conditions.”
He said that privatisation, which began in 2013 and broke the sector into 15 companies (11 Distribution and 4 Generation Companies), has failed to attract significant private investment or solve any of the longstanding issues.
“In fact, it has worsened the situation,” he said, revealing that at least six electricity companies are currently under receivership or financial distress—most recently Ikeja Electric and KEPCO.
Bosah pointed out that many of these companies took loans to acquire power assets at below-market prices but have failed to invest in infrastructure or even repay those loans.
“Instead of revitalising the sector, they have become dependent on government bailouts and tariff increases. It’s clear the private model has failed.”
According to CARE, over 6.5 million households remain unmetered, exposing them to arbitrary and excessive billing, while more than 90 million Nigerians still lack access to the national grid.
“This is not just a policy failure, it’s an economic injustice,” said Bosah. “Electricity should be a basic right, not a tool for exploitation.”
He also criticised the cozy relationship between NERC and private power companies, arguing that consumer protection has been steadily eroded.
“The regulatory framework that once gave consumers a voice has been dismantled. What we now see is pampering of private operators at the expense of the people.”
Bosah expressed concern that the recent constitutional amendment transferring power sector regulation to state governments has only worsened the situation, citing the example of Lagos State.
“Lagos State has not yet put in place its own regulatory structure.
“LASERC is uncoordinated, and in the absence of NERC’s forums, DISCOs are taking advantage of the vacuum to impose unfair policies and tariffs,” he added.
CARE is therefore urging the Federal Government and NERC to reinstate their consumer protection and dispute resolution mechanisms temporarily, until the states are ready and able to effectively regulate the sector.
“Without proper oversight and investment in public infrastructure, the dream of stable electricity for all Nigerians will remain elusive,” Bosah concluded.
