President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat as the new Director General of the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC).
Dr. Ramat brings over 15 years of experience in Nigeria’s energy sector, with expertise in regulatory governance, power sector transformation, and advanced technology. He holds a PhD in Strategic Management and is a licensed electrical engineer, with degrees from Bayero University Kano (B.Eng, Electrical Engineering), Jodhpur National University (M.Tech, Electronics and Telecommunications), and Lincoln University College (PhD, Strategic Management).
Recognized for translating complex policies into scalable solutions, Dr. Ramat has led major reforms in both the public and private sectors, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and digital modernization.
Key Qualifications and Achievements:
- Grid Modernization: Implemented smart grid and IoT systems, reducing infrastructure costs by 40%.
- Policy Innovation: Introduced blockchain-based e-governance in Kano State, tripling local government revenue.
- Leadership: As former MD of KASMA and Chairman of Ungogo LGA, he drove energy and public service reforms.
Core Areas of Expertise:
- Regulatory governance: licensing, tariff structuring, and compliance.
- Power sector transformation: grid upgrades, renewable energy, and PPPs.
- Smart technologies: IoT, blockchain, and smart metering.
- Strategic leadership: revenue growth and stakeholder engagement.
Career Milestones:
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Chairman, Ungogo LGA (2021–2024):
- Launched Nigeria’s first blockchain-based electronic ID platform with 25,000+ users.
- Digitized revenue systems, leading to a 300% income increase.
- Introduced LURA software, reducing asset vandalism by 22%.
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Managing Director, KASMA (2019–2020):
- Upgraded 15,000+ streetlights to smart LEDs, saving ₦250 million yearly.
- Supervised licensing for the Tiga Independent Power Project.
- Championed energy efficiency across state infrastructure.
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Director, AG Ramat Global Electrical/Electronics Ltd (2010–Present):
- Enhanced tariff compliance and implemented smart metering, reducing losses by 30%.
- Aided digitization and infrastructure audits for utilities.
Other Notable Contributions:
Dr. Ramat has served as an adjunct lecturer in energy policy and strategic management at Kano State Polytechnic and Al-Istiqama University. He also completed training programs at institutions like Harvard University (via YALI), Gonzaga University, and Microsoft.
He translated President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Manifesto into Hausa, reaching over two million people. Additionally, he designed an ERP system that became a NERC policy case study and chaired the technical committee on Tiga IPP licensing. Between 2019 and 2020, he represented Kano State on the NERC Consumer Forum.
Dr. Ramat’s appointment is seen as a strategic move toward comprehensive reform in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
