By Hosea Parah, Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has teamed up with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in a landmark collaboration aimed at enhancing electrical safety and ensuring insurance compliance across Nigeria’s power sector. The two agencies formalized their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at NAICOM’s headquarters, a significant step in strengthening the country’s electrical safety protocols.
According to a statement from NEMSA, signed by Ama Umoren of the Communications & Protocol Unit, the agreement establishes a comprehensive framework requiring all electrical installations—whether residential, commercial, industrial, or located in hazardous areas—to be certified by NEMSA before insurance policies can be processed by insurance companies. This initiative is designed to prioritize safety in electrical infrastructure, aligning with the Federal Government’s objectives to enhance the power sector’s safety and reliability.
Speaking at the MoU signing, NEMSA’s Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, underscored the importance of the collaboration in mitigating risks associated with electrical accidents and infrastructure failures. “This partnership with NAICOM marks a major step toward ensuring that all electricity consumers, operators, and investors adhere to the highest safety and risk management standards,” said Engr. Tahir. “By linking insurance compliance with electrical safety enforcement, we are protecting lives, investments, and the overall integrity of the power sector.”
Engr. Tahir, who also serves as the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, added that moving forward, NEMSA will require all applicants for statutory inspection, testing, and certification to provide proof of insurance with accredited insurance companies. This initiative is aimed at reducing risks and enhancing safety across the sector.
NAICOM’s Commissioner for Insurance and CEO, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, emphasized the crucial role insurance plays in managing risks within the power sector. “Insurance is key to mitigating the effects of electrical hazards and infrastructure-related incidents,” he noted. “Through this MoU, we will work hand-in-hand with NEMSA to ensure compliance with relevant insurance policies, ensuring that the power sector operates with sufficient risk mitigation measures in place.”
The NEMSA-NAICOM partnership will include joint awareness campaigns, regulatory enforcement, and information-sharing initiatives to promote electrical safety and encourage wider insurance adoption within the power sector.
This collaboration is viewed as a major milestone in improving safety, reliability, and sustainability within Nigeria’s electricity industry, with significant long-term benefits for the entire country.