Kwara State’s youngest female legislator, Hon. Rukayat Shittu, has sponsored the Kwara State Electric Power Sector Bill, 2025, which has now passed its first and second readings at the House of Assembly. A public hearing on the bill drew broad support from stakeholders.
The bill seeks to repeal the Electricity Board Laws of 1992 and 2006, replacing them with a modern framework that allows Kwara to establish its own electricity market. It also domesticates the federal Electricity Act of 2023, which decentralised Nigeria’s energy sector and granted states greater autonomy.
Explaining the bill’s significance, Shittu said energy reform was critical for development. “Millions of our people, especially in rural communities, are still in darkness. This Bill is designed to open Kwara to innovative energy solutions, attract private investment, and create opportunities for our people. It is not just about electricity, it is about jobs, health, education, and improving the quality of life,” she said.
She added that the bill would enable the state to explore independent power projects, mini-grids, and renewable energy, while creating an enabling environment for private sector participation.
Stakeholders at the hearing praised the proposal as a bold step toward tackling chronic power shortages that have hindered industrial growth and social development in Nigeria. They noted that the reforms would expand electricity access to communities beyond the reach of the national grid.
Shittu, who represents Owode/Onire constituency, has been lauded for her leadership on the issue, with many describing the initiative as evidence that youth can drive meaningful legislative change.
The bill is now set for its third reading. Observers believe its passage would place Kwara among states taking full advantage of the decentralisation of Nigeria’s energy sector.