President Tinubu Appoints Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat As NERC Director General.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the appointment of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as the new Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), marking a significant step towards revitalising Nigeria’s electricity sector. The announcement, made on Tuesday, underscores the administration’s commitment to driving innovation and reform in the nation’s energy landscape.
Engr. Ramat, aged 39, brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking approach to the role. With over 15 years in Nigeria’s energy sector, he specialises in regulatory governance, power sector transformation, and technology integration. His academic credentials are equally impressive, holding a PhD in Strategic Management from Lincoln University College, an M.Tech in Electronics and Telecommunications from Jodhpur National University, and a B.Eng in Electrical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano.
A pioneer in digital innovation, Ramat has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s technological and energy frameworks. He developed LURA, a smart surveillance platform integrating IoT, biometrics, and real-time analytics to enhance community safety and combat crime. His leadership in deploying smart grid solutions has reduced infrastructure costs by 40%, while his pioneering work in blockchain-based e-governance in Kano tripled local government revenue. These achievements highlight his ability to translate policy into scalable, impactful solutions.
Ramat’s appointment has been hailed as a bold move to inject youthful energy and expertise into NERC. Previously, he served as the Kano State Representative on the NERC Consumer Forum from 2019 to 2020 and has been recognised internationally as one of the “50 Most Influential Young African Leaders” by the Pan African Youth Leadership Foundation in 2022. His tenure as a local government chairman also earned him the accolade of “Best Performing Local Government Chairman” from the Kano State House of Assembly.
The new Director General is expected to steer NERC towards a future of intelligent regulation and consumer-focused governance. His vision includes strengthening regulatory enforcement, enhancing customer protection, and fostering private sector confidence in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). Industry experts anticipate that Ramat’s data-driven approach and expertise in grid modernisation will usher in a new era of efficiency and sustainability for Nigeria’s power sector.
President Tinubu’s decision signals a generational shift in leadership, aligning with his administration’s broader agenda to modernise and transform Nigeria’s critical infrastructure. As Engr. Ramat assumes his role, stakeholders across the energy sector are optimistic about the potential for meaningful change under his stewardship.
