President Bola Tinubu has appointed 39-year-old Abdullahi Garba Ramat as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

In a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, Tinubu described Ramat as a seasoned electrical engineer and administrator with a PhD in Strategic Management, among other professional qualifications.

The President also named two new commissioners to the NERC board — Abubakar Yusuf as Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, and Dr Fouad Olayinka Animashun as Commissioner for Finance and Management Services.

According to the presidency, the appointments are subject to Senate confirmation. However, to prevent a leadership gap at the key regulatory agency, Tinubu has directed Ramat to assume office in an acting capacity pending his screening.

The President urged the new appointees to apply their expertise and commitment towards driving his administration’s vision for the power sector.

Ramat succeeds Sanusi Garba as head of NERC.