By Temidayo Folarin
The Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement (RHGM) has commended President Bola Tinubu for signing the Electricity Bill into law, describing it as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s power sector reform.
This is contained in a statement signed by the National Coordinator of RHGM, Ambassador Isaac Chigozie Udeh, and issued in Abuja.
According to the statement, the new law removes electricity from the Exclusive Legislative List, empowering states to independently generate, transmit and distribute power.
It explained that states can now establish their own electricity markets and regulatory frameworks, as well as license private investors without federal approval.
The movement noted that the reform is expected to boost industrialisation, attract investment, create jobs and improve electricity supply nationwide.
The statement also praised the President’s efforts in addressing security challenges and implementing economic reforms aimed at stabilising and growing the economy.
It added that RHGM remains committed to mobilising Nigerians at the grassroots to understand and support the administration’s people-oriented policies.
The movement urged state governments, private investors and other stakeholders to take advantage of the new law to invest in the power sector.
The Electricity Act decentralises Nigeria’s power sector by transferring key responsibilities from the Federal Government to states.
Under the new framework, states are empowered to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within their territories, establish state electricity markets and regulators, and license private investors to operate power plants and mini-grids.
The policy shift is expected to boost competition, attract private capital and accelerate electrification, particularly in rural, peri-urban and underserved communities.
President Tinubu, while assenting to the bill, said the law marked a new era in the energy sector, adding that states now have the constitutional authority to provide stable electricity, promote industrialisation and create jobs.
Analysts note that the success of the reform will depend on the political will, regulatory readiness and implementation capacity of state governments.
