Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat assumed office as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on August 8, 2025, in Abuja, following his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Appointed in an acting capacity pending Senate confirmation, the 39-year-old electrical engineer from Kano State brings a wealth of experience in engineering and governance to tackle Nigeria’s persistent power sector challenges. At his inauguration, Ramat vowed to enforce strict compliance among electricity distribution and generation companies, signaling a shift from “business as usual,” according to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
His tenure as chairman of Ungogo Local Government Area in Kano saw groundbreaking initiatives, including Nigeria’s first blockchain-based e-identity system and a cloud-based revenue platform that increased local revenue by over 300%. He also pioneered LURA, a smart surveillance system using IoT and biometrics to enhance security. Industry stakeholders are optimistic about his potential to drive regulatory reforms and improve power supply reliability, though some question the timing of his early assumption, as outgoing Chairman Sanusi Garba’s term ends in December 2025. Ramat expressed gratitude on his verified X account, stating, “From leading one LGA to shaping Nigeria’s power sector, I’m honored by this trust.”
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