NATIONAL INTEGRATED ELECTRICITY POLICY

A Policy provides a blueprint for reforming Nigeria's electricity sector to ensure reliable and sustainable power supply. It targets electricity companies, power producers, consumers, and state governments to guide investments and regulations. This aims to achieve affordable electricity for all Nigerians.

What Is This Policy?

The National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) is Nigeria's comprehensive reform blueprint for the electricity sector — providing the strategic direction, regulatory framework, and investment pathway for achieving reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply for all Nigerians, in line with the 30:30:30 electricity vision.

Who Does It Target?

Electricity generation companies (GENCOs), transmission operators (TCN), and distribution companies (DISCOs) Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and renewable energy developers seeking connection to the national grid All electricity consumers — households, businesses, industries, and public institutions State governments wishing to develop state-level electricity markets under the Electricity Act 2023 Rural and peri-urban communities with no grid access requiring mini-grid and off-grid solutions

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Achieve Nigeria's 30:30:30 electricity vision — 30 GW installed capacity with 30% from renewables by 2030 Provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity access to all Nigerians by 2030 Complete the privatisation reform of the electricity sector and establish a fully competitive, market-based electricity industry Eliminate chronic electricity supply deficits that cost Nigeria an estimated $29 billion annually in economic losses

Key Features

Privatisation Framework: Consolidates the reform of PHCN into 11 DISCOs and 6 GENCOs under private ownership, with TCN remaining under government management Electricity Act 2023: Major reform enabling State Electricity Markets — states can now generate, transmit, and distribute electricity independently within their territories Tariff Reflectivity (MYTO): Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) framework ensures electricity tariffs gradually reflect true cost of service delivery to achieve sector financial sustainability Mini-Grid & Off-Grid Programme: REA's Nigeria Electrification Project deploys 1,200+ mini-grids and 10,000+ solar systems for off-grid communities — $350M World Bank support Gas-to-Power Focus: Over 70% of Nigeria's generation capacity is gas-fired; NIEP coordinates with the National Gas Policy to ensure reliable gas supply to power plants Renewable Integration: NREEEP and NIEP jointly target 23% renewable energy in the generation mix by 2025, rising to 36% by 2030

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — updated by the Electricity Act 2023 which represents the most significant post-EPSRA reform of the sector Implementing Bodies: Federal Ministry of Power; NERC (regulation); TCN (transmission); NBET (bulk trading); REA (rural access); NBET Generation Capacity: Installed capacity: ~13,000 MW; available capacity: ~4,000–5,000 MW; actual generation often below 4,000 MW due to gas, grid, and commercial constraints Access Rate: Approximately 55–60% of Nigerians have electricity access; the bottom 40% rely on generators costing 40x the grid tariff World Bank PSRP: $750M World Bank Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) supports DISCO investment, partial risk guarantees, and payment assurance mechanisms

How to Access

Electricity Consumers: Connect to the national grid through your local DISCO; report outages, billing disputes, and service complaints to NERC: nerc.gov.ng or 080-1234-5678 Power Developers/IPPs: Apply for generation licences from NERC; negotiate PPAs with NBET; access REA subsidy windows for off-grid and mini-grid projects State Governments: Invoke Electricity Act 2023 provisions to develop state electricity laws and establish state electricity regulatory bodies Consumer Disputes: File formal complaints with NERC's Consumer Affairs Department: nerc.gov.ng/complaint

Impact & Metrics

Nigeria has the world's largest population without electricity access — approximately 85 million people (World Bank, 2023) Economic cost of poor electricity: estimated $29 billion/year in lost economic output (World Bank) Target under 30:30:30 Vision: 30 GW generation capacity, with 30% renewables and 30% electrification increase by 2030

Official Resources

Legal Framework

The National Integrated Electricity Policy operates under the Electricity Act 2023, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, and the Rural Electrification Agency Act 2006. It aligns with the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP), Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative. The SDG 7 framework on affordable and clean energy provides the international context.