Tahir Completes Tenure At Electricity Management Agency, Hands Over To Ashibel

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), has announced the  completion of the statutory tenure of its erstwhile managing director/chief executive officer Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir on December 31, 2025.

The agency also said Tahir had handed over leadership to the agency’s most senior officer in person of the executive director, Corporate Services, Dr Utsu P. Ashibel.

The announcement was made by the agency’s head of Communications & Protocol, Ama Umoren, and underscored NEMSA’s role in Nigeria’s energy transition as the country eyes improved power reliability in 2026 and beyond.

NEMSA, a key regulatory body under the Federal Ministry of Power, is tasked with enforcing safety, quality, and compliance standards across Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

NEMSA noted that during Tahir’s leadership, the agency made measurable strides in fulfilling this mandate, transforming operational challenges into opportunities for growth and reliability.

According to Mrs Umoren, Tahir’s tenure was defined by robust institutional strengthening and enhanced regulatory enforcement, which bolstered public and stakeholder confidence in NEMSA’s oversight role.

The agency said it ramped up inspection and testing regimes, issuing certifications that ensured safer electricity infrastructure nationwide. Automation of service delivery processes streamlined operations, reducing turnaround times and minimising errors in a sector plagued by outdated systems. Strategic collaborations with power sector players, including distribution companies and generation firms, fostered better compliance and innovation.

These efforts contributed to a more resilient NESI amid Nigeria’s push for energy security and economic diversification.

the agency also said NEMSA’s interventions helped mitigate risks like equipment failures and safety breaches, aligning with broader federal reforms in the power value chain.

It said the transition strictly followed the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Circular Ref. No. SGF/OP/I/S.3/T/39, dated August 28, 2019, which outlines end-of-tenure protocols for heads of extra-ministerial agencies. This requires outgoing CEOs to hand over to the next most senior officer, promoting stability, continuity, and adherence to public service guidelines.

Dr. Ashibel, now acting MD/CEO, steps into the role with extensive experience in corporate services, positioning him to maintain momentum. NEMSA reiterated that all functions—regulatory enforcement, inspections, certifications, and safety oversight—remain fully operational without disruption.

NEMSA’s management and staff commended Engr. Tahir for his “dedicated service and leadership,” vowing to sustain the reforms and progress achieved.

The agency reassured stakeholders of its unwavering focus on NESI safety amid ongoing challenges like grid instability and rising demand.