JUST IN: President Tinubu Approves Fresh Appointments in NEMSA Leadership

By Emmanuel Kwada

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Engineer Adesayo Olusegun Michael as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).

The announcement, which comes shortly after the end of the tenure of the previous MD/CEO, Engr. Aliyu Tukur Tahir, in early January 2026, signals a strategic refresh in the agency’s leadership to strengthen oversight of Nigeria’s electricity sector standards, safety, and compliance.

Engineer Michael, a seasoned electrical engineering professional, is expected to bring his expertise to bear on NEMSA’s core mandate of enforcing technical standards, inspecting electrical installations, and promoting safety in power generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization across the country.

In addition to the MD/CEO appointment, President Tinubu has constituted a new Board for NEMSA with representatives from various geopolitical zones to ensure balanced national representation and inclusive governance.

The newly appointed Board members are:

1. Engr. Aliyu Abdulazeez – Executive Director, Technical
2. Ikechi Clara Nwosu – Chairman, South East
3. Zubair Abdur’rauf Idris – Member
4. Igba Elizabeth – Member, North Central
5. Sani Alhaji Shehu – Member, North East
6. Adeyemi Adetunji – Member, South West
7. Engr. Emmanuel Eneji Nkpe – Member, South South
8. Engr. Charles Ogbonna Asogwa – Member, South East

These appointments are part of ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to reposition critical agencies in the energy sector for improved efficiency, regulatory enforcement, and support for the ongoing power sector reforms.

NEMSA plays a pivotal role in addressing persistent challenges in Nigeria’s electricity industry, including frequent system collapses, metering gaps, and safety hazards in installations.

The new leadership is anticipated to prioritize capacity building, stricter compliance monitoring, and collaboration with distribution companies (DisCos), generation companies (GenCos), and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Stakeholders in the power sector have welcomed the appointments, expressing hope that the new team will accelerate reforms aimed at achieving reliable and sustainable electricity supply. Industry observers note that the zonal representation on the Board reflects the administration’s commitment to federal character principles.

The appointments take immediate effect, with the new MD/CEO and Board members expected to assume office promptly. Official handover processes and orientation for the new leadership are underway.