In a strategic move to strengthen public engagement and improve electricity consumer education, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has established a new Community Development Service (CDS) group under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The initiative, launched in Abuja, aims to harness the reach and grassroots presence of NYSC members to spread awareness on electricity consumer rights, responsibilities, energy conservation practices, and the regulatory framework governing Nigeria’s power sector.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, a representative of the NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba, said the creation of the CDS group is in line with the Commission’s mandate to protect consumer interests and promote transparency within the electricity supply industry. He described the partnership with NYSC as a timely and innovative approach to bridging the information gap between service providers and end-users.
“With over 300,000 corps members deployed across Nigeria annually, this CDS group will serve as an extension of NERC’s public enlightenment machinery. Corps members will be trained to educate residents in their host communities about their rights to safe, reliable electricity and how to channel complaints through appropriate regulatory channels,” he said.
The group, known as the Electricity Consumer Enlightenment CDS, will operate under the supervision of the NYSC and in partnership with NERC’s Consumer Affairs Division. Selected corps members will undergo training sessions on the Nigerian Electricity Act, tariff systems, meter complaints resolution, and how to report illegal practices by service providers.
NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, lauded the initiative as one that empowers youth to take on leadership roles in nation-building. He noted that the power sector affects every Nigerian, and corps members are well-positioned to drive positive change by being voices of accountability and education in underserved communities.
The programme is expected to start as a pilot in selected states before being expanded nationwide. It comes at a time when electricity reforms are gaining momentum, and public discourse around metering, billing, and service reliability continues to dominate national conversations.
NERC officials say the CDS group will also help gather feedback from communities, which will inform future policy decisions and regulatory actions aimed at improving customer satisfaction and utility performance.
As Nigeria moves towards a more decentralised and transparent electricity market, initiatives like this underscore the importance of citizen participation and awareness in shaping a more responsive energy future.
