Governor Seyi Makinde has appointed the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Prof. Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, as Acting Chairman of the Oyo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (OYSERC) in a move aimed at accelerating the take-off of the state’s electricity market and strengthening regulatory oversight.
The governor also approved the appointment of Ayanniyi Taiwo as Acting Secretary, Solomon Oyekunle as Acting Technical Member, Abiodun Adedoja as Acting Strategy Member and Omolara Omoremi as Acting Legal Member of the commission.
In a statement issued and signed by Dr. Suliaman Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor, the appointments were described as a crucial step toward fully operationalising the commission and positioning Oyo State to regulate its internal electricity market.
According to him, the development aligns with provisions of the Electricity Act 2023 and the Oyo State Electricity Regulatory Commission Law 2024, which grant states greater authority to manage intrastate electricity generation and distribution under Nigeria’s evolving dual-tier regulatory framework.
He said the interim appointments would drive the institutional take-off of the commission while the government works toward making substantive appointments after the passage of the proposed Oyo State Electricity Market Bill.
The statement read, “This step marks a major milestone”, explaining that the acting team would establish the commission’s foundational regulatory systems, including licensing frameworks, compliance mechanisms, tariff oversight models, consumer protection structures, and internal governance procedures.
For many residents and business owners who endure erratic power supply, the commission’s work could have practical implications beyond policy documents.
The statement explained that OYSERC will oversee the licensing of electricity generation, distribution, embedded generation, captive power and mini-grid projects within the state. It will also regulate tariffs, monitor service standards and provide mechanisms for resolving consumer complaints.
“By decentralising regulatory oversight, Oyo State is now positioned to respond more quickly to electricity service gaps, strengthen accountability of operators and encourage private sector investment in local power solutions,” the said.
It added that even within its early operational phase, the commission had begun engaging electricity consumers and operators, reviewing petitions from residents, and facilitating the resolution of some disputes.
The commission is also aligning its work with the state’s Electricity Priority Plan and Implementation Roadmap for 2026–2031, while putting administrative structures and staffing systems in place.
“Our focus is to open up the Oyo electricity market. We are positioning the state to encourage embedded and distributed generation, attract private sector investment, improve service delivery and accountability, strengthen consumer confidence, accelerate infrastructure expansion and enhance power reliability across the state”, the statement added.
In a related development, the commission recently held a high-level technical meeting in Abuja with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ensure a smooth transition in regulatory responsibilities.
The February 12 engagement focused on jurisdictional clarity under the Electricity Act, licensing frameworks, tariff oversight, consumer protection systems, compliance monitoring and digital regulatory platforms.
For energy analysts, the move reflects a growing trend across Nigeria, where states are beginning to take a more active role in fixing power supply challenges closer to home. If effectively implemented, the new regulatory structure could open the door for more local power projects and improved electricity access for households, businesses and public institutions across Oyo State.
