ABUJA – Nigeria’s electricity sector just got a major upgrade. The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) signed a game-changing partnership that could finally address the country’s persistent power challenges.
The NEMSA COREN partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed Tuesday in Abuja, introduces stricter professional standards that many industry experts believe are long overdue. For millions of Nigerians frustrated with unreliable electricity supply, this agreement represents hope for better power infrastructure.
What This Partnership Actually Means
Think of this collaboration as creating a “double-check” system for Nigeria’s power sector professionals. Previously, an engineer could work on critical electricity projects with just one certification. Now, they need approval from both agencies – ensuring higher competency levels across the board.
Engineer Aliyu Tukur, NEMSA’s Managing Director, described the agreement as more than just paperwork. “We are creating a framework that prioritizes regulatory compliance and quality service delivery,” he explained, emphasizing how this Nigeria power sector regulation upgrade could translate into more reliable electricity for consumers.
Why Your Electricity Bills Might Finally Make Sense
The partnership tackles a fundamental problem: poorly regulated engineering work that leads to frequent power outages, unsafe installations, and wasted resources. Here’s how the new system works:
Stricter Registration Process: Every professional seeking NEMSA certification must first complete COREN registration. This eliminates the previous gaps where unqualified individuals could slip through regulatory cracks.
Real-Time Information Sharing: When an engineer faces disciplinary action at either agency, both organizations immediately know about it. No more “hiding” bad performance records between agencies.
Joint Quality Control: COREN representatives will now sit on NEMSA’s certification panels, bringing fresh perspectives to electricity management services oversight.
Renewable Energy Focus: As Nigeria pushes toward solar and wind power, the partnership ensures engineers working on these projects meet specialized standards.
Industry Leaders See Real Change Ahead
COREN Registrar Engineer Okorie Austine Uche believes this partnership could transform how Nigeria approaches infrastructure development. The collaboration aligns power sector regulations with COREN’s established framework, creating what he calls “a more structured engineering ecosystem.”
COREN President Engineer Sadiq Zubair Abubakar went further, calling the agreement “a milestone in COREN’s strategic realignment.” His enthusiasm stems from recognition that Nigeria’s power challenges require coordinated solutions, not isolated agency efforts.
The partnership establishes NEMSA’s participation in crucial COREN committees, including the Codes and Standards Committee and Disciplinary Tribunal. This cross-pollination of expertise could accelerate problem-solving in Nigeria’s notoriously complex power sector.
Real-World Impact for Ordinary Nigerians
Beyond the technical jargon, this partnership addresses everyday frustrations that millions of Nigerians face. Frequent power outages often result from substandard electrical work, inadequate maintenance, and poor project oversight. The new dual-certification system aims to eliminate these problems at their source.
For businesses struggling with unreliable electricity, the partnership promises more competent professionals handling critical infrastructure projects. Homeowners dealing with electrical issues may find better-qualified technicians and contractors.
The renewable energy focus particularly matters as Nigeria seeks alternatives to fossil fuel-dependent power generation. With stricter engineering standards, solar and wind projects should deliver more consistent results.
What Happens Next
The NEMSA COREN partnership creates immediate changes for power sector professionals, but broader impacts will unfold over months and years. Existing certified professionals may need additional registration steps, while new applicants face more rigorous evaluation processes.
This collaboration represents Nigeria’s recognition that reliable electricity requires professional excellence at every level. By demanding higher standards from engineers and technicians, the partnership addresses root causes of power sector inefficiency rather than just symptoms.
For a country where “NEPA don take light again” remains a common complaint, this regulatory upgrade offers genuine hope for improvement. The success of the NEMSA COREN partnership could become a model for other infrastructure sectors facing similar challenges.
By Abdullah Korede
