President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of Aisha Mahmud-Kanti Bello and Faud Animashaun as commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The request was contained in a letter addressed to the Red Chamber and read on the floor of plenary on Tuesday by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Aisha Mahmud-Kanti Bello is nominated as a replacement and Commissioner from the North-West geopolitical zone, while Faud Animashaun is re-nominated as Commissioner Designate from the South-West geopolitical zone.

The nominations, according to the President, are in accordance 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 noted 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.

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

In August, President Tinubu nominated Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as the new Chairman/CEO of NERC and also nominated Mr. Abubakar Yusuf, Commissioner of Consumer Affairs (now replaced), and Dr. Fouad Olayinka Animashun, Commissioner of Finance and Management Services, with all nominations requiring Senate confirmation to lead the power sector’s regulatory body.

However, Senate confirmation of Ramat is being delayed, stalled by controversies. 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 sub-national electricity markets.