On September 30, 2021, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in collaboration with the Power Sector Recovery Operation (PSRO) Secretariat, and the World Bank, hosted a one-day hybrid workshop with the communications representatives of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), Generation Companies (GenCos) and the power sector government agencies. The objective of the session was to present the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) Communication Strategy and brainstorm on the public campaign messaging. The hybrid event drew thirty power sector operatives spanning both public and private sectors.

The workshop was aimed at briefing communications representatives on the PSRP’s objectives and goals, as well as raising awareness of the Government’s efforts to reform the power sector.

Two presentations were delivered, one on the PSRP communications strategy and the other on the development of common theme messaging for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, with a focus on cross-sector campaign execution.

Dr. Usman Abba-Arabi, General Manager of NERC’s Public Affairs Department in his welcome remark said “The PSRP has been designed as a comprehensive power sector reset, a fresh start with renewed focus to boost Nigeria’s economy by rebuilding a functioning and fair power sector.” He added that “communications and stakeholder engagements are part of the results that are to be achieved under PSRO. Sector-wide consultations with public and private sector operatives are important to ensure sector-wide transparency, consensus building, and collaboration”.

Following the presentation of the PSRP Communication Strategy, an interactive session on the message development was coordinated by Bankole Ebisemiju, the PSRP’s strategic communications consultant, Awele Okigbo of the World Bank, and Belije Madu of the PSRO Secretariat. The workshop was highly engaging, with participants making recommendations on the public campaign messaging and engagement strategy.

Key recommendations for the event included public awareness on the PSRP activities and milestones for greater transparency, working closely with Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) as well as sharing the updated communication campaign implementation plan.

A physical workshop is scheduled to hold in Abuja in October 2021 to develop and finalize the strategic and tactical messages for the upcoming public campaign.