In a decisive move to accelerate reforms in Nigeria's electricity industry, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially approved the reconstitution of the Board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). This follows the confirmation of the nominees by the Senate on December 16, 2025.
New Leadership to Steer Regulatory Agenda
The newly formed board is composed of seasoned regulators and energy sector experts. Their primary mandate is to guide the nation's electricity market in full compliance with the provisions of the transformative Electricity Act, 2023. The President has charged the board with the critical task of consolidating the ongoing transformation of Nigeria's power sector.
Dr. Mulisiu Olalekan Oseni has been appointed as the substantive Chairman of NERC. Dr. Oseni, who first joined the Commission as a Commissioner in January 2017 and later served as Vice Chairman, brings considerable institutional knowledge to the role. His appointment as Chairman took effect from December 1, 2025, and will run until the completion of his ten-year tenure as stipulated by the Electricity Act.
Board Composition and Key Appointments
Alongside the Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Ali has been named the Vice Chairman of the Commission. Dr. Ali, who initially became a Commissioner in February 2022, also began his new role on December 1, 2025, for the remainder of his first term.
The full list of Commissioners on the reconstituted board includes a mix of returning and new members:
- Nathan Rogers Shatti — Reappointed for a second term, having first been appointed in January 2017.
- Dafe Akpeneye — Also returning for a second term, with initial appointment dating back to January 2017.
- Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello — Serving a second term, first appointed in December 2020.
- Dr. Chidi Ike — Serving his first full term, having been first appointed in February 2022.
- Dr. Fouad Animashaun — A new appointee serving his first term, effective December 2025. Dr. Animashaun, an energy economist, joins with extensive power sector experience, most recently as the Executive Commissioner and CEO of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
President's Charge and Sector Expectations
In his directive to the new board, President Tinubu emphasized the need for rigorous implementation of existing reforms. He urged the members 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 board reconstitution is seen as a pivotal step in the federal government's strategy to stabilize and modernize Nigeria's electricity supply infrastructure. The new leadership is expected to play a central role in enacting regulatory policies that attract investment, ensure fair market practices, and ultimately improve power supply for homes and businesses across the nation.
