President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Musiliu Olalekan Oseni as the new chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), replacing Abdullahi Ramat. The decision follows the Senate’s confirmation of members of a reconstituted board for the regulatory body.
The presidency said the appointment took effect from 1 December 2025 and that Oseni’s tenure will last for ten years, in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023.
Dr Oseni has long experience in the power sector. He began serving at NERC as a commissioner in 2017 and later became vice-chairman before being appointed chairman. His elevation to the top post comes after he had been acting chairman since August, when the previous chairman, Sanusi Garba, left the commission.
Mr Ramat, who had been nominated earlier this year, did not secure confirmation from the Senate. His nomination, first put forward by the president in August, stalled amid petitions and controversy. Critics had objected to his actions after he appeared at NERC headquarters in Abuja to assume office before being confirmed by the Senate, a move that drew public concern and pushback from industry stakeholders and lawmakers.
In Thursday’s statement, the presidency also confirmed other appointments to the reconstituted NERC board. Dr Yusuf Ali was named vice-chairman. He had been a commissioner since February 2022 and will serve in his new role until the end of his current term.
Other board members include Nathan Rogers Shatti, Dafe Akpeneye, and Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello, who are serving second terms. Dr Chidi Ike continues in his first term, and Dr Fouad Animashaun joins the board for the first time; he previously led the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
President Tinubu has urged the new board to deepen reforms in Nigeria’s power sector and to implement the Electricity Act “in both letter and spirit.”
