Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, speaking to journalists at the Government House in Umuahia.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, says the state is no longer affected by frequent national grid collapses, following new investments in electricity generated from organic waste.
Speaking to journalists at the Government House in Umuahia on Thursday, the governor said Abia has begun converting waste into biogas to produce renewable electricity, reducing dependence on the national grid.
Mr Otti said the initiative is part of a broader plan to secure stable power for the state, particularly for industrial clusters and farming communities.
“This is a pilot programme. Instead of throwing away waste, we are converting it into clean energy,” he said. “This will power many areas, especially the Umuahia industrial and farming zones.”
The governor disclosed that Abia has taken over electricity regulation within the state, following the transfer of oversight from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority on 24 December.
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According to him, the new regulatory arrangement has been accepted by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), which currently distributes power in the state. He said negotiations are ongoing to fully acquire power assets serving Umuahia and surrounding areas.
“Everything about distribution, generation and transmission will now be regulated within Abia,” Mr Otti said. “The goal is efficiency, independence and reliable power supply, similar to what Aba Power is already providing in Aba.”
He added that parts of Abia were not affected by recent national grid collapses because some power assets are now under state control.
Nigeria’s national grid collapsed twice this week, the second time in 2026, plunging much of the country into darkness. Electricity generation dropped from about 4,500 megawatts to zero, with all 23 power plants connected to the grid reportedly losing output.
The repeated failures have renewed public concern about the country’s fragile power infrastructure. Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, described the latest collapse as a national embarrassment, blaming weak leadership and poor governance.
Nigeria currently generates about 5,000 megawatts of electricity for a population of more than 240 million people, far below estimated demand. Experts say the country needs over 30,000 megawatts to meet basic electricity needs.
While federal authorities have listed metering, grid expansion and improved transmission as long-term solutions, Abia’s move reflects a growing push by states to seek independent and alternative power sources amid ongoing national grid instability.
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