Osun Assembly Passes Bill to Establish State Electricity Regulatory CommissionI’m

In a landmark step toward energy autonomy, the Osun State House of Assembly has passed a bill to establish the Osun State Electricity Regulatory Commission, marking a decisive move to bring electricity regulation under state control. The bill, titled the Osun State Electricity Market Regulatory Bill 2025, was passed after scaling its third reading on the floor of the Assembly in Osogbo on Monday.

The legislation is part of a broader shift enabled by the Electricity Act 2023, which allows Nigerian states to create and manage their own electricity markets. With the passage of this bill, Osun joins a growing list of states, including Enugu, Oyo, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Imo, that have taken steps to exercise independent regulatory authority over their electricity sectors.

Leading the debate on the bill’s final reading was House Majority Leader Kofoworola Adewunmi, who emphasized the urgent need for Osun to take charge of its power sector, particularly in light of the state’s energy challenges. The report on the bill was presented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources and Energy, Hon. Taofiq Olayiwola, whose committee had earlier reviewed the legislation in detail.

According to Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, certified copies of the bill will be forwarded to Governor Ademola Adeleke for assent. Once signed into law, the commission will be empowered to regulate electricity generation, transmission, and distribution within the state. It will also be responsible for licensing operators, setting tariffs, ensuring compliance with service standards, and protecting consumer rights.

The move is expected to open new doors for private investment in power infrastructure and renewable energy, especially in underserved areas. It is also seen as a proactive effort to improve the quality and reliability of electricity services for residents and businesses in Osun.

Alongside the electricity bill, the House also passed amendments to two judiciary-related laws—the Osun State Customary Courts of Appeal Establishment Amendment Bill 2025 and the Osun State District Customary Courts Amendment Bill. Both were part of a legislative push to update and strengthen state institutions.

Stakeholders have praised the initiative as a forward-looking step that reflects growing awareness among Nigerian states about the importance of decentralizing power sector governance. With the legal framework now in place, attention shifts to the governor’s assent and the subsequent setting up of the Osun State Electricity Regulatory Commission, which is expected to begin operations once the law comes into effect.