The newly appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat, has declared that his administration will strictly enforce compliance with market rules for electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and Generation Companies (GenCos) across the country.
Speaking at the NERC headquarters in Abuja during his formal assumption of office, Ramat made it clear that his tenure would not be “business as usual” for operators in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). He stressed that electricity providers must uphold regulatory standards and deliver improved services to consumers.
“We know the problems Nigerians are facing, and this time, it will not be business as usual. The distribution companies and the generation companies must do the right thing. That is my clear message to them,” Ramat stated firmly.
Ramat, who succeeds Engr. Sanusi Garba, acknowledged that he would begin his leadership by thoroughly reviewing the handover notes and assessing existing frameworks. He emphasized that change would be gradual but achievable through collaboration between NERC’s management team, industry stakeholders, and government agencies.
“We cannot change the sector overnight, but with teamwork, we can ensure efficiency and improve Nigeria’s electricity supply industry. There’s a lot of work to be done, and we will not shy away from it,” he said.
The new NERC boss also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility, assuring Nigerians that he would lead with integrity and commitment.
Nigeria’s electricity sector has long been plagued by inefficiencies, from chronic power outages to infrastructural decay and billing disputes. Regulatory enforcement has often been inconsistent, allowing some operators to sidestep obligations. Analysts say Ramat’s pledge for stricter compliance could signal a turning point for the sector, especially in enforcing service-level agreements and penalizing non-compliant operators.
Energy expert Dr. Olumide Ojo noted that Ramat’s emphasis on rule enforcement could rebuild public trust in the power sector. “If he can hold operators accountable while ensuring fair regulations, we might see gradual improvement in supply reliability and market stability,” he said.
Stakeholders in both the public and private sectors are keenly watching how NERC under Ramat will address:
Chronic load-shedding by DisCos
Grid instability caused by GenCos’ shortfalls
Delays in metering and consumer protection issues
Tariff implementation and transparency
Many believe that effective regulation could help unlock investments in renewable energy, improve market liquidity, and boost customer satisfaction.
Ramat urged industry players to collaborate with the Commission, stressing that the reform journey would require collective responsibility. “If we join hands together, I believe we are going to achieve more efficiency and improve the Nigerian electricity supply industry,” he said.
As Nigerians continue to grapple with rising energy costs and unreliable supply, Ramat’s leadership will be tested in delivering tangible results in a sector critical to economic growth and national development.