Akwa Ibom Electricity Market: What Has Changed, What Has Not

The transfer of regulatory oversight of the Akwa Ibom State electricity market from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC) has taken effect, but electricity consumers should not expect an immediate change in the way they receive, pay for or complain about electricity services.

The transfer, contained in NERC Order No. NERC/2026/087 and effective from August 18, 2026, begins a transition process expected to be completed by February 17, 2027.

Here is what has changed and what remains the same:

What has changed

Regulatory oversight of electricity business conducted within Akwa Ibom is being transferred from NERC to AKSERC.

At the end of the transition, AKSERC will assume full regulatory responsibility for the state’s intrastate electricity market, including consumer protection and dispute resolution.

The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) is required to incorporate a subsidiary electricity distribution company for Akwa Ibom by October 17, 2026. The new company will be required to apply to AKSERC for a licence to supply and distribute electricity within the state.

The Akwa Ibom electricity network, including relevant assets, liabilities, contracts and employees attributable to the state, will be identified and transferred to the new Akwa Ibom electricity distribution company during the transition.

By February 17, 2027, the transfer is expected to be completed and AKSERC will take full regulatory responsibility for electricity business conducted within the state.

What has not changed

PHED remains the electricity distribution company serving Akwa Ibom for now. Customers will continue to receive electricity, meters and bills from PHED during the transition.

Existing customer accounts, meters and payment channels remain valid.

Electricity tariffs remain unchanged for now. The transfer of regulatory oversight does not introduce a new tariff.

Any future tariff review will be handled by AKSERC through the required regulatory process, including consultations and a review of PHED’s cost structure.

Existing licences, permits, agreements and other contractual obligations remain valid during the transition.

Consumer complaints about supply, billing and metering should still be directed to PHED in the first instance. Existing NERC consumer protection and escalation arrangements remain in place until the transfer is completed.

NERC also remains responsible for regulating cross border and interstate electricity transactions, even after AKSERC assumes responsibility for the state’s intrastate electricity market.

The key point is that the change is primarily about who regulates the electricity market in Akwa Ibom, not an immediate change in the company supplying electricity to consumers.

AKSERC says the transition is expected to ensure that decisions affecting electricity business conducted within Akwa Ibom are increasingly taken within the state, while the Commission works with NERC and PHED to ensure a smooth transfer.