Tinubu Asks Senate To Confirm Kanti-Bello, Animashaun As NERC Commissioners

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve two nominees for positions as commissioners at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The request was sent in a letter to the Senate and read out by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary.

Tinubu explained that the nominations were made under Section 35 (1) and (3) of the Electricity Act 2023, which gives the president the authority to appoint NERC commissioners, subject to the Senate’s approval.

He said the appointments are meant to strengthen the commission as it continues its work on ongoing reforms in the country’s electricity sector.

“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 stated.

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

Tinubu also noted that this submission replaces an earlier list he sent to the Senate on August 6, 2025.

The Senate will screen the nominees in the coming days.

If approved, both nominees will join NERC at a time when it is rolling out major reforms under the new electricity law, including wider regulatory powers, new licensing roles, and a shift toward electricity markets managed at the state level.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Senate recently confirmed the appointment of Dr. Kingsley Ude, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Enugu State, as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.