Umuahia, Abia State – Governor Alex Otti has announced that Abia State is no longer experiencing frequent power outages caused by national grid collapses, attributing the improvement to the state’s ongoing investment in converting organic waste into electricity through biogas technology and the recent transfer of regulatory authority over power from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Speaking to journalists at the Government House in Umuahia on Thursday, January 30, 2026, Governor Otti explained that the state has begun transforming organic waste into renewable energy via biogas production. This pilot programme, he said, is designed to generate clean, reliable electricity while addressing waste management challenges.
“This is a pilot programme. Instead of discarding waste, we can convert it into clean energy, enabling us to power numerous areas, particularly the Umuahia in-farms,” the governor stated. He noted that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to achieve energy self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on the unstable national grid.
Governor Otti further disclosed that Abia State has successfully negotiated with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), the distribution company responsible for power supply in the state. Under the new arrangement, the state has gained greater control over aspects of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution within its borders.
On December 24, 2025, the Abia State Electricity Regulation Authority officially assumed regulatory oversight from NERC. “From now on, generation, transmission, and distribution will be regulated within the state,” Otti said. He highlighted that this devolution of regulatory powers is already yielding results.
“You may have noticed that during some recent national grid collapses, our state remained unaffected because a significant portion of our power infrastructure is now under our authority,” he added.
The governor linked the improved power stability to the state’s ability to operate independent mini-grids and localised power solutions, similar to the model successfully implemented by Aba Power Electric Company in the Aba Industrial and Commercial City (Aba in-farms). He expressed optimism that the biogas project would replicate and expand this success in Umuahia and other areas.
Governor Otti revealed that negotiations with EEDC have progressed positively, with agreements reached on key issues. “I had earlier reported that our proposals to EEDC have been accepted, and we are in the process of raising funds to settle obligations with them,” he said.
The initiative forms part of Abia State’s broader strategy to achieve energy independence, improve efficiency, and reduce reliance on the national grid, which has suffered multiple collapses in recent years. The governor emphasised that sustainable waste-to-energy solutions would not only provide reliable electricity but also contribute to cleaner environments and economic benefits through job creation and reduced energy costs.
“That is the entire purpose of acquiring the Umuahia in-farms, and I am pleased with the advancements we are making in this regard,” he concluded.
The announcement comes amid growing interest across Nigeria in decentralised and renewable energy solutions, particularly in states seeking to mitigate the impact of national grid instability. Abia’s move to establish its own electricity regulatory framework and invest in biogas production positions it as one of the leading states in Nigeria’s evolving energy transition landscape.
Industry observers have welcomed the development, noting that local regulation and alternative energy sources could serve as models for other states facing similar power supply challenges. The state government has not disclosed the specific capacity of the biogas plants currently under development or the exact timeline for wider rollout, but officials indicated that the Umuahia in-farms would serve as the initial focus area.
The governor’s remarks underscore his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, energy security, and sustainable economic growth in Abia State.
