The Ondo State Government has called on investors and development partners to explore opportunities created by the state’s electricity sector reforms.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Johnson Alabi, made the call at the 2026 International Investment and Partnership Conference of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations Alliance (REEEA-A) in Lagos.
Alabi, who conveyed greetings from Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the state viewed the ongoing decentralisation of Nigeria’s electricity sector as a major development opportunity.
He said technological advancements, rising energy demand and the evolving regulatory framework had created new opportunities for subnational governments.
According to him, states must move from being passive beneficiaries of national electricity policies to active participants in shaping Nigeria’s energy future.
Alabi said Ondo had enacted its electricity law in 2021, before the Federal Government’s 2023 Electricity Act, demonstrating the state’s early commitment to electricity sector reform.
He said Ondo was also among the states that established two electricity regulatory institutions in October 2024.
The commissioner said the state had consequently placed energy at the centre of its economic development strategy.
He said the government’s vision was to build an energy ecosystem capable of supporting industrialisation, investment, job creation, innovation and improved quality of life.
Alabi identified five key areas of the state’s energy strategy as strong policy and regulatory institutions and private-sector investment.
Others, he said, were renewable energy solutions, electricity infrastructure development and grid access, as well as innovation, technology and human capital development.
He said the government had moved beyond policy formulation to implementing practical interventions to improve electricity access across the state.
According to him, the state has procured transformers as part of efforts to address electricity supply challenges and support communities.
He said the government was also deploying solar-powered systems to provide electricity to rural communities as part of its renewable energy initiatives.
Alabi said Ondo currently required about 700 megawatts of electricity to effectively support its economy but was receiving less than 30 megawatts.
He described the gap as a major investment opportunity for investors interested in developing the state’s electricity market.
The commissioner said the state had recently reviewed its electricity law to align it with the provisions of the 2023 Electricity Act.
He said the review was designed to strengthen the investment framework and provide greater confidence for investors seeking to commit funds to electricity projects.
Alabi said the government was focused on creating an environment where electricity projects would be commercially viable and capable of delivering returns on investment.
He disclosed that the state government had approved the connection of 140 megawatts of electricity to the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.
He said additional projects aimed at improving electricity access were also being developed across the state.
The commissioner urged investors, development partners and energy professionals to visit Ondo and explore opportunities in the state’s emerging electricity market.
He assured prospective investors of the state government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for sustainable investment in the sector.
Alabi said the state would continue to leverage the decentralisation of Nigeria’s electricity sector to attract investments and expand access to reliable and affordable power.
He said Ondo was ready to partner with investors and other stakeholders to develop a sustainable electricity ecosystem that would drive economic growth.
