Abdullahi Garba Ramat, as NERC Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat, a 39-year-old electrical engineer with a PhD in Strategic Management, as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). This appointment is part of the administration’s effort to inject innovation, youthful energy, and strategic reforms into the nation’s struggling electricity regulatory system. Ramat’s background includes executive training from world-class institutions like Harvard University, Google, and Microsoft. He previously served as Executive Chairman of Ungogo Local Government Area in Kano State, where he introduced Nigeria’s first blockchain-based decentralized e-identity system and established the Ungogo Internal Revenue Agency, improving revenue collection by over 300% through digital means.
As NERC’s CEO, Ramat is expected to bring a new vision to the commission, focusing on regulatory enforcement, customer protection, and private sector confidence. His tech-savvy approach and reform mindset may be pivotal in boosting public trust and attracting investment into the sector. Two other commissioners were also nominated: Abubakar Yusuf as Commissioner for Consumer Affairs and Dr. Fouad Olayinka Animashun as Commissioner for Finance and Management Services. These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, but President Tinubu has directed Ramat to assume office in an acting capacity pending his screening by the Senate to avoid a leadership vacuum .
Ramat’s qualifications include a Master’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from India and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano. He has also designed LURA, a smart community surveillance platform that promotes safety via real-time digital monitoring. With his appointment, a new era of intelligent regulation, data-driven policymaking, and consumer-centered governance is set to begin at NERC.
