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The Anambra State Government, through the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), has granted an interim electricity distribution licence to First Power Electricity Company Limited, marking a major step toward ensuring reliable power supply across the state.
The licence presentation took place on Thursday, with Prof. Frank Okafor, Chairman and CEO of ASERC, highlighting the state’s commitment to making electricity accessible to all and transforming Anambra into a preferred destination for investment and industrial growth.
“Power cannot remain a luxury if we aim to achieve sustainable development,” Okafor said. “The issuance of a one-year interim licence to First Power signals a new chapter in regulating Anambra’s electricity sector. The commission will closely monitor operations to ensure targets are met and service delivery is improved.”
He noted that the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, inaugurated five commissioners for ASERC on October 9, 2025, following the enactment of the Anambra State Electricity Law by the House of Assembly. Subsequently, regulatory oversight of the state’s electricity market was formally transferred from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ASERC. The commission then resolved to issue interim licences to companies previously licensed by NERC, thereby legitimising their operations within the state.
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One such operator, First Power Electricity Distribution Company Limited, now joins the cadre of regulated electricity distributors under ASERC’s supervision. Okafor emphasized that strict adherence to the licence’s terms and conditions would be enforced.
Representing the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Praveen Chorghade, Group Managing Director, said the Electricity Act of 2023 has reshaped Nigeria’s electricity sector by enabling states to craft regulatory frameworks, policies, and market structures that reflect their unique economic and geographic realities. He noted that Anambra’s proactive approach exemplifies strategic and visionary implementation.
“FirstPower, previously operating under EEDC’s NERC licence, now becomes a fully licensed entity under the state’s regulatory authority,” Chorghade said through Dr. Ernest Mupwaya. “This transition marks a milestone in creating a competitive and dynamic electricity market in Anambra. Our operations are designed to support the state’s industrialisation, urbanisation, agricultural growth, and SME competitiveness.”
Okechukwu Okafor, Managing Director of First Power, welcomed the licence as a formal recognition of the company’s autonomy and responsibility for electricity distribution in Anambra. “We are committed to partnering with industrialists, the state government, and communities to deliver better electricity solutions,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure customer satisfaction and, by 2027, to implement full metering for transparent billing and accountability.”
The certificate presentation was attended by key state officials, including Commissioners for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, and Power and Water Resources, Mr. Julius Chukwuemeka, underscoring the government’s support for the initiative and its ambition to modernize the state’s electricity sector.
