The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Musiliu Oseni, has described the repeated collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid as a “national embarrassment,” stressing the need for urgent and sustained reforms to improve grid reliability.

Oseni made the remark on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 2026 NERC Seminar for Judges, where he disclosed that the Commission has stepped up monitoring of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) project, which is expected to significantly enhance the stability and efficiency of the power grid.

He explained that the recent establishment of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) necessitated the engagement with members of the judiciary to acquaint them with the evolving rules and regulatory framework governing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

According to him, intensified oversight of the SCADA project is central to addressing the frequent grid collapses that have continued to disrupt electricity supply nationwide.

Oseni further revealed that NERC is pursuing several strategic initiatives, including the development of a regulatory framework to attract private sector investment into transmission infrastructure, efforts aimed at powering the real economy, and the creation of clusters of excellence with access to reliable electricity.

He also said the Commission has established customer care clinics across all electricity distribution companies to improve service delivery and strengthen consumer protection.

Declaring the seminar open, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said the programme was designed to enhance judicial understanding of electricity regulation, administrative compliance, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

She noted that the seminar was convened at a critical stage in the evolution of Nigeria’s electricity sector, which is witnessing extensive regulatory reforms, rapid technological advancements, and increasing demand for judicial clarity and consistency in the interpretation of electricity laws.

According to the CJN, the growing complexity of legal disputes in the sector makes judicial familiarity with industry-specific regulations indispensable, adding that the judiciary plays a crucial role in fostering legal certainty, economic efficiency, and public confidence.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by the Director of Distribution, Mustapha Babaumara, said Nigeria’s electricity market is undergoing a fundamental transition marked by evolving regulatory structures, greater decentralisation, and an expanding role for sub-national actors.