By comfort Asemota
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Mulisiu Oseni as the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) following the Senate’s confirmation of the commission’s reconstituted board.
Oseni’s appointment signals the removal of Abdullahi Ramat, whose name was earlier forwarded to the Senate for confirmation in August but was never approved.
Ramat, a former Chairman of Ungogo Local Government Area in Kano State, was nominated for the NERC chairmanship on August 7 after the exit of the immediate past chairman, Sanusi Garba. However, controversy surrounded his nomination when he reportedly arrived at the NERC headquarters in Abuja to assume office without Senate confirmation.
He was accompanied by political associates and security personnel, including an individual in military uniform seen in widely circulated videos, raising concerns among industry stakeholders. Ramat was received by Oseni during a brief handover ceremony on August 8 but later withdrew amid public criticism over his premature action.
The Senate Committee on Power subsequently declined to confirm Ramat’s nomination, citing multiple petitions and complaints. Allegations later emerged from some of his supporters claiming that senators were bribed to halt the confirmation process. These claims were dismissed by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who described them as unfounded and maintained that the screening was suspended due to serious concerns raised against the nominee.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, formally announced Oseni’s appointment. Oseni, who previously served as Vice Chairman of NERC, became Acting Chairman in August following the departure of the former chairman.
According to the statement, Oseni’s appointment as substantive chairman took effect from December 1, 2025, and will last until the completion of his 10-year tenure, in line with the Electricity Act, 2023.
Oseni joined the commission as a commissioner in January 2017. President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Dr Yusuf Ali as Vice Chairman of NERC. Ali, first appointed as commissioner in February 2022, assumed his new role on December 1, 2025, and will serve until the end of his first term.
Other members of the reconstituted NERC Board include Mr Nathan Shatti and Mr Dafe Akpeneye, both serving second terms after their initial appointments in January 2017. Aisha Mahmud, first appointed in December 2020, is also serving a second term.
Dr Chidi Ike, appointed in February 2022, continues his first term as commissioner, while Dr Fouad Animashaun joins the commission for his first term beginning December 2025. Animashaun is an energy economist with extensive experience in Nigeria’s power sector and previously served as Executive Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
President Tinubu has charged the newly constituted board to strengthen and consolidate reforms in the power sector, in full compliance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023.
