In a decisive move to steer Nigeria’s critical electricity sector, President Bola Tinubu has officially reconstituted the governing board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). This action follows the Senate’s confirmation of the nominees on Tuesday, December 17, 2025, and was formalized in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.
The newly constituted board is tasked with a monumental challenge: to accelerate and solidify the long-awaited reforms within Nigeria’s troubled power sector. President Tinubu’s directive was explicit—the board must operate strictly within the framework of the landmark Electricity Act, 2023, a legislation designed to decentralize regulatory power and attract much-needed investment.
A Blend of Continuity and Fresh Perspective
The board’s composition strategically balances institutional memory with new expertise, signaling an intent for both stability and innovation.
Leading the commission is Dr. Musiliu Oseni, whose elevation from Vice Chairman to Chairman ensures policy continuity. Having served since 2017, Oseni’s decade-long tenure, now effective from December 1, 2025, provides a deep understanding of the sector’s complexities. He is joined by Dr. Yusuf Ali as Vice Chairman, another seasoned regulator appointed in 2022.
The board retains experienced commissioners like Mr. Nathan Shatti and Mr. Dafe Akpeneye (both on second terms since 2017), and Mrs. Aisha Kanti Bello (second term since 2020). Their collective experience is crucial for navigating the technical and regulatory mazes of tariff design, grid code enforcement, and market settlement processes.
A significant new appointment is Dr. Fouad Animashaun, a respected energy economist and the immediate-past CEO of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission. His inclusion is highly strategic. Lagos State is at the forefront of implementing the new Electricity Act’s provisions for state-level regulation. Animashaun’s firsthand experience in establishing a sub-national regulator is an invaluable asset as NERC guides other states through this complex transition, a process critical for unlocking embedded generation and off-grid solutions. He is joined by Dr. Chidi Ike, who continues his first term.
The Mandate: Beyond Stewardship to Transformation
President Tinubu’s charge to the board moves beyond mere oversight. The directive to “deepen and consolidate ongoing reforms” implies several urgent, practical priorities:
- Implementing the Electricity Act, 2023: This goes beyond reading the law. It involves creating the regulatory frameworks for state-level markets, defining the boundaries between federal and state jurisdiction, and ensuring a seamless transition that does not create regulatory arbitrage or market fragmentation.
- Attracting Investment: A stable, predictable, and transparent regulatory environment is the single biggest catalyst for investment. The board must finalize cost-reflective tariff models that assure investors of recovery while protecting vulnerable consumers through robust customer protection frameworks.
- Enforcing Performance: The sector suffers from poor compliance by generation companies (GenCos) and distribution companies (DisCos). NERC must wield its regulatory tools—including sanctions, performance agreements, and potential license reviews—more assertively to improve service delivery, metering, and infrastructure investment.
- Integrating Renewable Energy: The global shift towards renewables presents an opportunity for Nigeria. The board must fast-track regulations for mini-grids, solar home systems, and grid-scale renewable integration to improve energy access and sustainability.
The reconstitution of the NERC board is more than a routine administrative change. It is a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s power sector. With a mix of veteran regulators and new blood equipped with sub-national experience, this board has the potential to translate the promise of the Electricity Act into tangible improvements in electricity supply, reliability, and affordability for millions of Nigerians. Their success or failure will be a key indicator of the administration’s broader economic reform agenda.
Reported by Muhyideen Jimoh. Edited by Sadiya Hamza. (NAN) MUYI/SH
