Tinubu asks senate to confirm Kanti-Bello, Animashaun as NERC commissioners

President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to confirm two nominees for appointment as commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The request was contained in a letter addressed to the upper chamber and read by Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, during plenary on Tuesday.

Tinubu said the nominations were made in line with section 35 (1) and (3) of the Electricity Act 2023, which empowers the president to appoint commissioners to the regulatory body subject to senate confirmation.

The president added that the appointments were intended to strengthen the commission as it continues to oversee reforms in Nigeria’s electricity market.

“In accordance with the provisions of Section 35 subsections 1 and 3 of the Electricity Act 2023, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the senate the appointment of the following two persons as commissioners in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission,” the letter reads.

The nominees are Aisha Mahmoud Kanti-Bello, who is being reappointed as a commissioner, and Fouad Animashaun, who has been nominated as a new commissioner.

Tinubu noted that their nomination replaces an earlier submission sent to the senate on August 6, 2025.

The senate is expected to screen the nominees in the coming days.

If confirmed, the nominees will join the NERC leadership team at a time the commission is implementing major reforms under the new electricity law, including expanded regulatory oversight, licensing responsibilities and the transition toward subnational electricity markets.