An Urgent Call to Action: The senate should swiftly confirm NERC leadership to power Nigeria’s future – Bashir Suwaid

By Bashir Suwaid

In a nation where the hum of a generator is as common as the sound of the rain, and where the stability of the electricity grid is a constant topic in homes and businesses alike, the importance of effective regulation in the power sector cannot be overstated. It is the bedrock upon which our aspirations for industrial growth, economic development, and improved quality of life are built.

It is against this backdrop that we must commend the Nigerian Senate for its diligence in carrying out one of its most crucial constitutional responsibilities: the screening and confirmation of key public officials. The Order Paper of Wednesday, 22nd October 2025, stands as a testament to this commitment. On that day, the Senate, through its Committee on Power, presented a report for the confirmation of critical appointments to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the very body tasked with steering the ship of Nigeria’s complex electricity market.

The report, presented by Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, explicitly listed the nomination of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as Chairman of NERC, alongside other distinguished nominees for the roles of Commissioners. This procedural step was a clear signal that the Senate was poised to act, to fill these vital positions and provide the leadership and stability the power sector so desperately needs.

The nomination of Engr. Ramat has been met with widespread approval, particularly from his home region. It is a notable and significant development that Nigerian youths, especially from Kano in particular and across Northern Nigeria, have started jubilating since his nomination was announced. Their celebration is a powerful testament to the fact that his appointment is not just a bureaucratic decision, but a reflection of the people’s will and a source of hope for a region, and a nation, desperate for progress in the power sector.

However, weeks have now passed since that orderly presentation, and the confirmation of Engr. Ramat and his team remains pending. While the Senate’s deliberative process is respected and understood, the current delay is becoming increasingly difficult to justify. The nation is left in a state of uncertainty, and the urgent reforms required in the electricity sector are held in abeyance. This delay dampens the hope and excitement of the millions who have already embraced this promising step.

There is no basis for this delay. The nominees have undergone the necessary legislative scrutiny. The Committee on Power has done its job, deliberated, and returned a positive report to the plenary. The final confirmation is the last, yet most critical, step in this process. Every day that passes without a confirmed, fully constituted NERC board is a day that crucial policy decisions, investor confidence, and regulatory oversight are potentially weakened.

Nigerians are eagerly waiting. They are waiting for the reforms that will lead to a more reliable power supply. They are waiting for a regulatory environment that holds distribution and generation companies accountable for their services. They are waiting for the consumer protections that a fully functional NERC Commission can enforce. From the small business owner in Aba to the large manufacturer in Lagos, and from the student preparing for exams in Kano to the hospital saving lives in Port Harcourt, the collective sigh of relief that will follow a stable power sector is palpable.

The appointment of Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat, a seasoned engineer, to lead NERC is a step in the right direction. His technical expertise and understanding of the sector’s intricacies are precisely what is needed to navigate the challenges of grid collapse, tariff controversies, and the integration of renewable energy sources. To leave such a nominee—one who has already galvanized the hope of a generation—in a state of limbo is to deprive the nation of the leadership it requires at a most critical time.

Therefore, we use this medium to:

1. Commend the Senate for its initial progress and for undertaking the thorough screening process through its Committee on Power. This demonstrates a commitment to due process and national service.
2. Encourage the Senate Leadership and all Distinguished Senators to seize this opportunity and swiftly conclude the confirmation of the NERC Chairman and Commissioners. The time for swift action is now.

The “next level” of economic prosperity that we all desire is intrinsically tied to stable electricity. The Senate holds a key to unlocking this potential. By swiftly confirming Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat and the other NERC nominees, the Senate will not only be completing a constitutional duty but will also be sending a powerful message to all Nigerians—from the jubilant youths in Kano to the eager entrepreneurs in the South—that it is committed to powering our present and securing our future.

Completing this process without further delay would not only cement the Senate’s role as a catalyst for progress but also inject much-needed certainty and leadership into the power sector at a critical time. Let us collectively power the hope of millions of Nigerians by ensuring that this promising step reaches its fruitful conclusion. The nation looks forward with optimism.

Let the deliberations end, and let the confirmations begin. The nation is watching and waiting.

Bashir Suwaid

Bashirsuwaid@gmail.com