Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that lawmakers are not in the National Assembly to pursue personal financial benefits but to make meaningful sacrifices that will shape the future of Nigeria.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, while contributing to the debate on the general principles of a bill seeking to amend the Electricity Act, 2023, Akpabio emphasized the importance of electricity to the nation’s development. He noted that industrial growth cannot be achieved without a stable and functional power sector. “People think we are here in the Senate to make money, not knowing that we are here to sacrifice for future generations,” he stated.
The Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, is designed to tackle a number of emerging challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector. Senator Abaribe explained that the bill seeks to improve coordination between national and sub-national governments to prevent legal conflicts and regulatory inconsistencies, particularly as states begin to take more control over intrastate electricity matters.
He also pointed out that the bill aimed to address the sector’s worsening debt crisis by strengthening financial frameworks. It proposes tougher penalties for vandalism of critical power infrastructure, and it seeks to ensure that labour rights are protected in line with global best practices, while balancing those rights within the context of electricity being an essential service.
Another key objective of the bill is to provide clarity on the transition of regulatory authority from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to state governments, especially in areas that impact the national grid. The proposed legislation also laid the groundwork for a more efficient and targeted subsidy system through the Power Consumer Assistance Fund, moving away from the existing arrangement that has resulted in massive subsidy debts.
In addition, the amendment seeks to redefine how host communities are engaged by power licensees, providing a unified framework across the entire electricity value chain. It is also expected to remove ambiguities in the principal Act and reinforce the legal and institutional frameworks governing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
Following the debate, the bill passed its second reading and was referred to the Senate Committee on Power for further legislative action. The committee is expected to report back to plenary within six weeks.
