Tinubu Makes U-turn On Ramat’s Choice, Names Oseni As New NERC Chairman

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Mulisiu Olalekan Oseni as chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The appointment followed the reconstitution of the Board of NERC after the Senate confirmed its members on December 16, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Dr Oseni’s appointment as Chairman took effect from December 1, 2025, and will subsist until the completion of his 10-year tenure at the Commission, in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023.

Oseni began his service at NERC in January 2017 as a Commissioner and was subsequently appointed Vice Chairman of the Commission before his elevation to Chairman.

President Tinubu also approved the designation of Dr Yusuf Ali as Vice Chairman of the Commission. Ali was first appointed as a Commissioner in February 2022, and his designation as Vice Chairman took effect from December 1, 2025, and will remain in effect until the completion of his first term.

Other members of the reconstituted Board are Mr Nathan Rogers Shatti and Mr Dafe Akpeneye, both serving second terms after their initial appointments in January 2017; Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello, serving a second term after her first appointment in December 2020; Dr Chidi Ike, serving his first term following his appointment in February 2022; and Dr Fouad Animashaun, serving his first term effective December 2025.

Dr Animashaun is an energy economist and most recently served as Executive Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

President Tinubu charged members of the reconstituted NERC Board to deepen and consolidate the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s power sector, in strict alignment with the letter and spirit of the Electricity Act, 2023.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Abdullahi Ramat from Kano State was initially nominated as NERC Chairman by President Tinubu a few months ago, but his confirmation for the role was stalled in the Senate, which did not provide any reasons.