…launch Joint Technical Committee to strengthen coordinated regulatory interventions
Oredola Adeola
The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) have agreed to eliminate duplication of responsibilities, particularly in the investigation of technical incidents within the power sector.
As part of this move, both agencies have formally inaugurated a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) to harmonise their investigative processes. Previously, NEMSA and NERC conducted separate reviews of the same incidents, often resulting in overlapping efforts.
Under the new framework, the agencies will pool their technical expertise to carry out joint investigations, enabling more robust root-cause analyses and the development of stronger, coordinated recommendations aimed at improving safety standards across the electricity industry.
The inauguration of the committee was held at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Mrs. Ama Umoren, NEMSA’s Head of Public Affairs, the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) will enhance collaboration on technical regulation, electrical safety, investigations, compliance enforcement, and preventive measures across Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
She disclosed that the inauguration marks a significant milestone in strengthening institutional cooperation, reflecting a shared commitment to improving the safety, reliability, and resilience of Nigeria’s power sector.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEMSA and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Engr. Olusegun Adesayo, described the establishment of the committee as a strategic and long-awaited initiative that will provide a structured framework for sustained collaboration between both institutions.
According to him, the responsibilities of NEMSA and NERC are complementary, making closer cooperation essential to achieving improved technical regulation and service delivery within the electricity industry.
“This Joint Technical Committee is long overdue because our responsibilities are highly interconnected.
Today, we are institutionalising collaboration in a way that will outlive changes in leadership and ensure continuity in our shared mandate of protecting lives, property, and critical electricity infrastructure,” he stated.
Engr. Adesayo emphasised that the committee will eliminate unnecessary duplication of efforts, particularly in the investigation of technical incidents within the electricity sector.
He explained that rather than conducting separate investigations into the same incidents, both agencies will now combine their technical expertise to undertake joint investigations capable of producing more comprehensive root-cause analyses and stronger recommendations that will improve safety outcomes across the industry.
He further noted that the inauguration signals a new era of cooperation that will promote technical excellence, strengthen regulatory effectiveness, and enhance public confidence in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Musiliu Olalekan Oseni, represented by the Commission’s Vice Chairman, Mr. Yusuf Ali, urged members of the committee to move swiftly from inauguration to implementation.
He charged the committee to immediately develop clear Terms of Reference (ToR) that will define the framework for collaboration, particularly in technical investigations and the development of technical instruments and regulatory initiatives within the sector.
Mr. Ali stressed that the committee should maintain regular engagement beyond incident response, noting that preventing electrical accidents and system failures requires continuous collaboration, proactive risk assessment, and timely intervention.
“Our responsibility is not only to investigate incidents after they occur but, more importantly, to prevent them.
Regular engagement will enable us to identify emerging risks early and implement measures that enhance the safety and reliability of the electricity network,” he said.
He further advocated a data-driven approach to technical regulation, stating that lessons learned from investigations must be translated into preventive actions across the electricity value chain to eliminate recurring causes of accidents and grid disturbances.
Mr. Ali also encouraged the committee to periodically review existing technical procedures, enforcement mechanisms, and sanctions to ensure they remain effective, responsive, and aligned with the evolving realities of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
He reaffirmed NERC’s commitment to the success of the Joint Technical Committee, describing NEMSA as a critical partner in advancing technical standards and electrical safety nationwide.
The Joint Technical Committee is expected to meet monthly, with quarterly strategic review sessions involving the leadership of both organisations to evaluate progress, address emerging technical challenges, and strengthen coordinated regulatory interventions.
The inauguration of the committee is expected to significantly enhance inter-agency coordination, improve technical oversight and compliance, strengthen electrical safety enforcement, and contribute to a more reliable, resilient, and sustainable electricity supply industry in Nigeria.
