Spaces for Change’s | S4C’s Executive Director delivered the keynote at the World Energy Day commemorative event organized by the Imo State Government through the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ISERC) on October 22, in Owerri, Imo State. On October 22 annually, World Energy Day is commemorated across the globe to raise awareness about energy access, sustainability, and innovation. The event’s theme, “Transitioning to Cleaner and More Sustainable Energy Sources,” was apt, signaling Nigeria’s readiness for energy transition and the pivotal role of subnational regulators like ISERC in shaping inclusive and equitable reforms.
Delivering the keynote address, “Transitioning to Cleaner and More Sustainable Energy Sources: The Need to Boost Imo Electricity Market,” Ms. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri stated that “energy is not just about infrastructure, it is about equity, empowerment, and economic justice… Subnational regulators like ISERC are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between policy and people, ensuring that energy reforms are transparent, inclusive, and responsive to local realities.”
She further stated that Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP) envisions achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 and aims to expand installed capacity to 30 gigawatts by 2030, with renewables contributing at least 30 percent of that mix. She described the 2023 Constitutional Amendment (Fifth Alteration Act No. 33), which decentralized electricity regulation, as a historic shift empowering states to generate, transmit, and regulate power within their jurisdictions. “For Imo State, the establishment of ISERC positions the state among Nigeria’s pioneers in subnational electricity governance, alongside Lagos, Edo, and Kaduna.”
Victoria commended ISERC for its proactive approach to consumer protection and urged stronger partnerships among government, private investors, civil society, and communities to ensure that the benefits of energy reform reach everyone. She also spotlighted Imo’s vast natural gas reserves in Assa, Ohaji Egbema LGA, describing them as a potential game changer for the state’s energy and industrial development. She reaffirmed Spaces for Change’s commitment to continue collaborating with ISERC, the Ministry of Power and Rural Electrification, and other partners to advance inclusive energy policies, consumer education, and gender equitable energy access.
The World Energy Day 2025 celebration in Imo State drew the participation of several stakeholders such as state policymakers, traditional rulers, academics, energy experts, civil society leaders, and community representatives. The event was a bold statement of intent from a young but visionary regulatory body determined to reshape Imo State’s energy landscape through transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance. Also collaborating with Spaces for Change signals a shared determination to make energy governance in Imo State people-centred and forward-looking.
