The Nigerian electricity industry is facing fresh tension after Dr. Abdullahi Ramat, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the chairmanship of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), assumed office before being screened and confirmed by the Senate.
Ramat, who previously chaired Ungogo Local Government Area in Kano, was tapped by the president to succeed Sanusi Garba, whose five-year tenure was cut short. On August 8, he arrived at the commission’s Abuja headquarters with aides and security personnel to take over from Vice Chairman Musiliu Oseni, who had been acting as head of the regulator. The handover went ahead even though the presidency had already clarified that his appointment would only take effect after Senate approval.
The contradictory directives from the presidency have deepened confusion. Initially, officials suggested Ramat could begin work in an acting capacity to avoid a leadership vacuum. A follow-up statement, however, stressed that Oseni would remain acting chairman until the Senate completed confirmation.
Energy analysts and industry groups argue that the takeover flouts the NERC Act, which stipulates Senate ratification of appointments. Adetayo Adegbemle of PowerUp Nigeria described the development as a “direct assault on institutional integrity,” warning that regulatory decisions taken under such circumstances may be challenged in court. Investors, he added, are alarmed by what they see as political interference in a sector that already struggles with instability.
Consumer advocates have also lodged complaints with the Attorney General, describing Ramat’s actions as a violation of the Electricity Act 2023. They caution that any official decisions he makes before confirmation could be invalid.
Ramat, 39, has promised reforms and greater accountability among distribution and generation companies. Still, critics point to his limited exposure to the electricity sector and say his swift assumption of office risks worsening governance problems.
With the Senate on recess until late September, the uncertainty lingers. Stakeholders insist that only a transparent and lawful confirmation process can restore confidence and ensure that NERC remains a credible regulator for Nigeria’s troubled power sector.
