Industry experts in Nigeria’s power sector have raised concerns over the growing leadership vacuum at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), warning that political considerations should not influence upcoming appointments.
With the tenures of key officials nearing their end, stakeholders are urging President Bola Tinubu to ensure that replacements are based on competence rather than politics. The commission currently operates under Acting Chairman Musiliu Oseni, after the former chairman, Sanusi Garba, left office in August. President Tinubu has nominated Abdullahi Ramat as the new NERC chairman, but his confirmation by the Senate is still pending.
Adetayo Adegbemle, convener of PowerUp, stressed the importance of appointing experienced regulators who understand the sector’s challenges. “This is not the time for political experiments. The government needs people with proven track records who can build on lessons learned in the power sector,” he said. Adegbemle also expressed concern over the delay from the Senate in confirming Ramat, saying the uncertainty could harm sector stability.
Experts highlighted a pattern of politically influenced appointments in the past, which they argue has hindered NERC’s effectiveness. Professor Dayo Ayoade of the University of Lagos emphasized that the regulator plays a critical role in the electricity sector, and its leadership must be grounded in technical expertise.
Other stakeholders echoed the need for professionals with sector knowledge, warning against appointing individuals primarily for political influence. They argue that past NERC leaders with hands-on power sector experience, like former CEO Sanusi Garba, were better positioned to drive reform than politically connected nominees.
The leadership gap is expected to widen as more commissioners, including Oseni, leave office in December, with additional departures slated for early 2026. The delay in confirming a substantive chairman has sparked protests from supporters of Ramat, though the Senate has cited public petitions and controversies as reasons for pausing the confirmation process.
Stakeholders are calling for transparent, merit-based appointments to restore confidence and provide regulatory stability. They warn that failing to act decisively could further destabilize Nigeria’s already fragile power sector.
