23/08/2026
AKWA IBOM’S POWER SECTOR UNDER GOVERNOR UMO ENO: PRECEPT, POLICY AND PROGRESS
Michael Dada
Three years into Governor Umo Eno’s administration, Akwa Ibom’s power sector appears to be following a deliberate trajectory.
From the Governor’s early consultations on what should be done, to the development of an electricity policy and legal framework on how to do it, and now to the recent transfer of regulatory oversight, the sector reflects a progression from precept to policy and gradually towards implementation.
This timeline highlights the power-sector reforms under Governor Umo Eno since he took office on 29 May 2023 as the fifth democratically elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
On-site assessment of Ibom Power Plant – 3rd July 2023
Just over one month after assuming office, the Governor paid a facility visit to the state-owned Ibom Power Plant on 3rd July 2023 for a firsthand assessment of the company’s operations.
During the visit, the Governor emphasized the need for collaboration between Ibom Power and Savannah Energy as strategic partners. He also identified the need for capacity development for the plant operations and maintenance personnel and requested an operational audit of the Ibom Power Plant.
So, the onsite assessment visit to the Ibom Power plant on 3rd July 2023 was the governor’s first publicly documented interaction with the state’s power sector.
Ibom Dialogue – 27th July 2023
Barely three weeks after the facility visit to the Ibom Power Plant, the Governor organized Ibom Dialogue, a 3-day event to chart the economic roadmap for his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
Discussions on the power sector were held on the third day of the event when former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, presented recommendations for sustainable electricity supply in Akwa Ibom State.
Prof. Nnaji recommended the recovery of the 191MW capacity of the Ibom Power Plant, expansion of its current generation capacity, and the concession or privatization of operations under a public-private partnership model in which the state retains a minority stake.
He also recommended the appointment of a consultant to develop a structured framework for Akwa Ibom’s power sector.
This event was held just about three weeks after Governor Umo Eno's visit to Ibom Power, making it one of the earliest initiatives to gather expert input on the future of the state's power sector.
MoU with Savannah Energy - 21st December 2023
Following the Governor’s commitment to collaboration between strategic partners during the tour of Ibom Power Plant and the recommendations from the Ibom Dialogue, Akwa Ibom State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Savannah Energy for an operational audit of Ibom Power Plant.
The key highlights of power sector activities in the first six months of Governor Umo Eno’s administration were assessment, consultation, and strategic partnership.
The Governor conducted an assessment visit to the Ibom Power Plant, engaged industry experts on a roadmap for the state’s power sector reform, and initiated a strategic partnership with a key player in the energy sector.
Ibom Power Demonstrates Island Mode Capability - 2024
One of the notable developments in Akwa Ibom State’s power sector in 2024 was Ibom Power’s Island Mode operation, which was acknowledged by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and reported in national media. The islanded operation enabled Ibom Power to generate electricity for supply within Akwa Ibom State during incidents of national grid collapses.
The event became a recurring point of public discussion during the year and highlighted Ibom Power’s potential role in the state’s emerging electricity market.
Leadership Transition – November 2024
In November 2024, the Akwa Ibom State Government announced a leadership transition at Ibom Power, Engr. Meyen Etukudo exited as Managing Director and Engr. Camillus Umoh was appointed as the Acting Managing Director.
Declaration of State of Emergency in the Power Sector – December 2024
By the end of 2024, Governor Umo Eno announced a state of emergency in the power sector. The Governor also outlined plans for a comprehensive reform programme, plans to pass the state’s electricity law, and establish a regulatory framework for the state’s electricity market.
The key developments in the sector in 2024 were Ibom Power’s Island Mode operation, a leadership transition at the company, and the declaration of a state of emergency in the power sector.
Akwa Ibom State Electricity Summit - September 2025
On the 1st January 2025, during his New Year broadcast, Governor Umo Eno stated that the state would hold an Electricity Summit in 2025 as part of efforts to improve the power sector. Following the Governor’s announcement, the Akwa Ibom Electricity Summit was held from the 18th to the 19th September 2025 at the Four Point by Sheraton in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
At the end of the summit, the Governor unveiled the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Law 2025 and the State's Electricity Policy.
The Governor also outlined a five-step roadmap for the state’s power sector, covering policy and law, regulatory oversight, energy security, electricity market development and rural electrification.
AKSERC nomination & inauguration –
16th April 2026 – 4th June 2026
On Thursday, 4th June 2026, the Governor inaugurated five pioneer commissioners of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC).
The Governor had nominated the Commissioners on the 16th of April 2026 and forwarded their names to the state House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
After confirmation by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the commissioners were inaugurated, formally establishing the state's electricity regulatory commission.
NERC'S ORDER ON TRANSFER OF REGULATORY OVERSIGHT TO AKSERC - 18th August 2026
Akwa Ibom State formally requested regulatory oversight of its electricity market, following which NERC commenced the process of transferring regulatory functions to AKSERC under the Electricity Act 2023.
The order, which took effect on 18 August 2026, marks a significant milestone in Akwa Ibom’s transition towards a state electricity market.
From 2023 to 2026, the trajectory of Akwa Ibom State’s power sector reflects the precepts behind the reform, the development of policy and the progress made thus far.
The commencement of the transfer of regulatory oversight shifts the focus to implementation, with energy security as the next major step towards achieving the state's vision of improved electricity supply in Akwa Ibom State.
