President Bola Tinubu has nominated 39-year-old Engr Abdullahi Garba Ramat as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in what is seen as a bold move to revitalise the country’s ailing power sector.
Ramat, an electrical engineer and seasoned administrator with a PhD in Strategic Management, is expected to bring a “modern, reform-oriented mindset” to the Commission amid mounting public frustration over erratic electricity supply.
In addition to Ramat’s nomination, Tinubu also named Mr Abubakar Yusuf as Commissioner of Consumer Affairs and Dr Fouad Olayinka Animashun as Commissioner of Finance and Management Services.
All three nominations, according to the Presidency, are subject to confirmation by the Senate, which will scrutinise the appointees’ qualifications and policy direction.
“The acting chairman of the Commission will remain in place until the confirmation of the new chairman-designate,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stated in the release issued on August 7, 2025.
The President’s decision is seen as part of a broader strategy to inject fresh energy into regulatory institutions and improve accountability in service delivery.
Industry observers say the appointment of a relatively young technocrat signals Tinubu’s intent to push overdue reforms in the power sector, which has long been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and weak consumer protection.
