FG Hails Imo State As Leader In State-Owned Power Generation

FG Hails Imo State as Leader in State-Owned Power Generation
ABUJA / OWERRI, Nigeria February 12, 2026
The Federal Government has again applauded Imo State’s leadership role in state-owned power generation, commending the state’s progress under Governor Hope Uzodimma and affirming its alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. At a high-profile event in Owerri this week, the first phase of the “Light-Up Imo” and Orashi Electricity Project was commissioned part of Imo’s drive to generate and manage its own electricity supply independent of the national grid. The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, described the initiative as a “tangible demonstration of progress in Nigeria’s electricity reforms” and singled out Imo as a front-runner among Nigerian states implementing the provisions of the Electricity Act of 2023 the law that empowers states to own and operate electricity infrastructure. Adelabu noted that decades of centralized control over electricity under the defunct NEPA/PHCN model failed to deliver reliable power. Delegating power generation and transmission rights to sub-national governments, as enabled by the Electricity Act, has opened the way for states like Imo to innovate and invest in sustainable energy solutions.
State power assets such as the Orashi network which taps local gas and hydro resources and the long-awaited Egbema Power Plant have positioned Imo as a model for others to follow. Federal representatives said Imo’s example underscores the Renewed Hope Agenda’s emphasis on decentralization, clean energy deployment, and private-public collaboration to spur job creation and economic growth. In related remarks, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Imo as a “new growth frontier” in Nigeria’s economy, highlighting power generation as a key pillar of the state’s diversification strategy. He said the federal government stands ready to support investment in critical sectors, including energy, technology, and agro-processing, reinforcing Imo’s growing reputation as a strategic hub for development.
Impact & Forward Outlook

• Improved power access: The Orashi Electricity Project is expected to significantly reduce reliance on diesel generators, delivering more reliable energy to homes and businesses across the state.
• Economic stimulus: Stable electricity is seen as a major enabler for industry, SME growth, and job creation key objectives within the Renewed Hope Agenda.
• Sector reform leadership: Imo’s adoption of state-level electricity markets and generation models is being highlighted by energy experts as a leading example for other states under the decentralized framework ushered in by the Electricity Act of 2023. Governor Hope Uzodimma reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring 24/7 dependable power supply and urged cooperation from communities and investors to safeguard infrastructure and sustain gains. He thanked President Tinubu for the policy environment that enabled state participation in power generation marking a turning point in Nigeria’s energy landscape.