President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated 39-year-old Abdullahi Ramat as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The announcement was made in a statement released on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, President Tinubu also nominated two other individuals to join the board of NERC. They are Mr. Abubakar Yusuf, who has been nominated as Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, and Dr. Fouad Animashun, who is nominated as Commissioner for Finance and Management Services.
All three appointments are subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. However, to prevent any leadership vacuum at the important regulatory agency, President Tinubu has directed Mr. Ramat to assume office in an acting capacity while awaiting Senate screening and approval, in line with the provisions of the law.
Abdullahi Ramat is an electrical engineer and administrator by profession. He holds a doctorate degree in Strategic Management, and according to the Presidency, he brings both technical and leadership experience to the role. Though not widely known in the public space, sources in the energy sector say he has had previous involvement in technical and management aspects of electricity distribution.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission is a major player in the country’s power sector. It is responsible for regulating the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity across the country. The agency also plays a vital role in protecting consumer rights, ensuring fair pricing, and creating an enabling environment for investment in the power sector.
President Tinubu’s move to inject new leadership into NERC comes at a time when Nigeria’s power sector continues to face major challenges. Many Nigerians still experience irregular electricity supply, while issues such as high tariffs, metering gaps, and poor customer service remain widespread.
Mr. Ramat’s nomination has drawn attention, especially due to his relatively young age for such a top role. At 39, he is expected to bring a fresh perspective to a sector that many see as outdated in approach. Stakeholders in the power sector will be watching closely to see how he approaches the issues, particularly as the country tries to improve electricity supply and attract more private investment into the industry.
The other two nominees also bring relevant experience to their proposed positions. Mr. Abubakar Yusuf, the Commissioner-designate for Consumer Affairs, is expected to lead efforts aimed at improving customer service and ensuring that electricity consumers across the country are treated fairly by distribution companies.
Dr. Fouad Animashun, nominated to oversee Finance and Management Services, will be responsible for strengthening NERC’s internal operations, financial planning, and budgeting systems. He is also expected to help ensure accountability and transparency in the Commission’s activities.
President Tinubu, in the statement, charged the nominees to bring their knowledge and experience to bear in the execution of their duties. He noted that the success of his administration’s economic policies is closely tied to reforms in the power sector, which has remained one of the biggest obstacles to national development.
Over the past year, the Federal Government has promised to reform the electricity industry. From improving the national grid to increasing off-grid solutions like solar energy and mini-grids, several policy shifts are already being proposed. Analysts believe that a strong regulatory body with competent leadership is key to making these reforms effective.
If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Ramat and his team will be stepping into one of the most difficult but important public service roles in the country. Many Nigerians and investors will be hoping for a regulator that will ensure fair competition, consumer protection, improved efficiency, and lasting progress in electricity delivery.
The nominations come just months after the President signed into law new regulations allowing state governments to generate and regulate electricity within their domains. With this decentralization of the power sector, NERC’s role as a federal regulator becomes even more complex, requiring sharp leadership and coordination with state-level regulators.
As the Senate prepares to screen the nominees in the coming weeks, industry observers and the general public will be eager to see what new direction NERC will take under its expected new leadership.
