Energy Commission of Nigeria Act (Act No. 62 of 1979 — as amended by Acts No. 32 of 1988 and No. 19 of 1989)

What Is This Policy?

The Energy Commission of Nigeria Act established the ECN as Nigeria's apex government body for the strategic planning and coordination of national energy policies across all energy forms — making it the central authority responsible for preparing national energy master plans, providing inter-agency coordination, advising government, and promoting energy research and manpower development.

Who Does It Target?

All government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) with functions touching the energy sector Energy sector investors, developers, and operators seeking a coordinated national energy policy framework Research institutions, universities, and energy centres across Nigeria engaged in energy-related R&D ECOWAS member states — ECN was established in compliance with the 1982 ECOWAS Cotonou Decision on national energy commissions

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Provide the legal mandate and institutional structure for coordinating Nigeria's entire energy sector — across petroleum, coal, nuclear, renewables, and efficiency Prepare periodic National Energy Master Plans (NEMPs) for the balanced, long-term development of all energy resources Serve as Nigeria's central hub for energy data, information dissemination, and inter-ministerial technical problem solving Promote energy research, technology development, and human capacity building across all energy sub-sectors

Key Features

Apex Energy Coordinator: ECN has the statutory mandate for strategic planning and coordination of national policies across all energy forms — petroleum, gas, coal, nuclear, solar, hydro, wind, biomass National Energy Master Plan: ECN is legally required to prepare, in consultation with relevant MDAs, periodic NEMPs for the balanced development of Nigeria's energy resources Technical Advisory Committee: Multi-agency Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) composed of professionals from key ministries, regulatory bodies, and university energy centres Information & Data Centre: ECN serves as the national repository for energy statistics, research publications, and technical knowledge — accessible via the Energy Databank Inter-Agency Problem Solving: ECN resolves technical issues arising at the intersection of multiple energy policies — preventing regulatory overlap and implementation conflict International Liaison: ECN liaises with IAEA, IRENA, World Energy Council, and other international bodies on Nigeria's behalf across all energy domains

Current Status

The Energy Commission of Nigeria Act is in force, having been established in 1979 and amended in 1988 and 1989, as it continues to coordinate national energy policies.

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Section 16 on energy policy); Energy Commission of Nigeria Act (Cap E10, LFN 2004) (principal Act); Electricity Act 2023; Petroleum Industry Act 2021; Climate Change Act 2021