Tinubu Reconstitutes NERC Board to Drive Power Sector Reforms

LAGOS,-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) board following the Senate’s confirmation of its members on December 16, signaling a renewed push to overhaul Nigeria’s beleaguered power sector.

The move comes at a critical juncture for the industry, which continues to grapple with chronic shortages, estimated at over 4,000MW below national demand despite the Electricity Act 2023’s provisions for state-level regulation and private investment. NERC, established under the 2005 Electricity Power Sector Reform Act and strengthened by the 2023 legislation, regulates tariffs, licenses operators, and enforces standards across generation, transmission, and distribution.

Leading the board is Musiliu Olalekan Oseni, PhD, appointed Chairman effective December 1, 2025. A seasoned energy expert with a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Lagos, Dr. Oseni joined NERC as a commissioner in January 2017 and later served as Vice Chairman. His tenure as Chairman will run until the end of his 10-year service under the Act. Oseni has championed initiatives like the Meter Asset Provider scheme, which has deployed over 2 million prepaid meters since 2021 to curb estimated billing.

Yusuf Ali, PhD, steps in as Vice Chairman, also effective December 1. Appointed commissioner in February 2022, Ali—a power systems engineer—brings expertise in grid stability and renewable integration, aligning with NERC’s recent approvals for solar mini-grids in rural areas.

The full board comprises:

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• Nathan Rogers Shatti – Commissioner (second term; first appointed January 2017), with a focus on consumer protection.
• Dafe Akpeneye – Commissioner (second term; first appointed January 2017), experienced in regulatory enforcement.
• Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello – Commissioner (second term; first appointed December 2020), specializing in legal and compliance matters.
• Dr. Chidi Ike – Commissioner (first term; appointed February 2022), an advocate for tariff reforms.
• Dr. Fouad Animashaun – Commissioner (first term; effective December 2025). A prominent energy economist, Animashaun previously led the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) as Executive Commissioner and CEO since 2021, pioneering intrastate electricity trading in Africa’s commercial hub.

President Tinubu charged the 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.” This directive underscores ambitions to achieve 30GW generation capacity by 2030, up from the current 5,000MW average, through reforms enabling states like Lagos and Edo to issue licenses independently.

The reconstitution follows the expiration of prior terms and addresses stakeholder calls for fresh leadership amid controversies over tariff hikes—NERC approved a 115% band A increase in May 2025—and distribution company inefficiencies. Industry analysts view the board’s continuity, with four members on second terms, as a balance of experience and innovation.