President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s power sector governance.
Ramat, a seasoned energy expert with over 15 years of experience, is known for his work in regulatory governance, power sector reforms, and digital innovation. He holds a PhD in Strategic Management, an M.Tech in Electronics & Telecommunications, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano.
The new NERC boss has played pivotal roles in both the public and private sectors, spearheading initiatives in smart grid deployment, revenue digitization, and policy innovation. As Executive Chairman of Ungogo Local Government Area (2021–2024), Ramat launched Nigeria’s first blockchain-based e-identity platform, which has since registered over 25,000 users and helped boost local revenue generation by 300%.
During his tenure as Managing Director of KASMA (2019–2020), he oversaw the retrofitting of over 15,000 public streetlights with smart LED systems—saving the state over ₦250 million annually—and led the licensing process for the Tiga Independent Power Project.
Ramat is also the founder of AG Ramat Global Electrical/Electronics Ltd, through which he has supported smart metering, tariff structuring, and utility digitization projects. He has served as an adjunct lecturer in energy policy and strategic management and has undergone technical training from prestigious institutions including Harvard University and Microsoft.
His appointment is seen as a strategic step in actualizing the power sector reforms outlined in the Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. Ramat is credited with translating the document into Hausa, helping it reach over two million citizens across Northern Nigeria.
