President Tinubu Reconstitutes Board of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), a key institution responsible for regulating Nigeria’s electricity supply industry. The approval follows the confirmation of board members by the Senate on December 16, marking a significant step in the administration’s efforts to consolidate reforms in the power sector.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. According to the statement, the reconstituted board brings together experienced regulators and energy sector professionals tasked with deepening the transformation of Nigeria’s electricity industry in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023.
Dr Mulisiu Olalekan Oseni has been appointed Chairman of the Commission. Dr Oseni, who holds a doctorate degree, began his service at NERC as a Commissioner in January 2017 and later rose to the position of Vice Chairman. His appointment as Chairman took effect from December 1, 2025, and will run until the completion of his statutory ten-year tenure, as stipulated by the Electricity Act. His elevation is seen as a continuation of leadership within the Commission, given his long-standing involvement in regulatory oversight and policy implementation.
Dr Yusuf Ali was named Vice Chairman of the Commission. He was first appointed as a Commissioner in February 2022, and his designation as Vice Chairman also took effect on December 1, 2025. He is expected to serve in that capacity until the end of his first term, contributing to policy direction and regulatory stability at a time when the sector is undergoing structural changes.
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Other members of the reconstituted board include Mr Nathan Rogers Shatti and Mr Dafe Akpeneye, both of whom are serving second terms as Commissioners, having initially been appointed in January 2017. Their reappointment reflects a measure of continuity within the Commission, particularly as Nigeria navigates complex regulatory and market challenges in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.
Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello is also serving a second term as Commissioner. She was first appointed in December 2020 and has been involved in regulatory processes aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening institutional frameworks within the power sector.
Dr Chidi Ike, who was first appointed as a Commissioner in February 2022, is serving his first term on the reconstituted board. In addition, Dr Fouad Animashaun joins the Commission as a Commissioner effective December 2025. Dr Animashaun is an energy economist with extensive experience in Nigeria’s power sector and previously served as Executive Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission. His inclusion is expected to add subnational regulatory insight, especially as states increasingly play roles in electricity regulation following recent legal and policy reforms.
President Tinubu has charged the board members to consolidate ongoing reforms and ensure that regulatory decisions align strictly with both the letter and spirit of the Electricity Act, 2023. The Act is widely regarded as a cornerstone of current power sector reforms, designed to decentralize electricity regulation, attract private investment, and improve reliability and efficiency across the value chain.
The reconstitution of the NERC board comes amid persistent public concern over electricity supply, tariffs, infrastructure deficits, and service quality. While some Nigerians have welcomed the blend of experience and continuity reflected in the appointments, others have expressed skepticism about whether leadership changes alone can deliver the long-awaited improvements in power supply.
Public reactions following the announcement have ranged from cautious optimism to critical debate, touching on issues such as regional representation, governance priorities, and the broader performance of the power sector. However, government officials have emphasized that the primary focus of the reconstituted board is regulatory effectiveness and sectoral reform rather than political considerations.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with electricity challenges that affect households, businesses, and industrial growth, the performance of the newly reconstituted NERC board is expected to be closely watched. The administration has reiterated that improved regulation remains central to achieving a stable, efficient, and sustainable electricity supply for the country.