Engr. Abdullahi Ramat, PhD, has urged urgent modernization of Nigeria’s governance and power sector, stressing that the nation’s ability to regulate, collect revenue, and safeguard sovereignty depends on embracing technology. Speaking on the need for digitization and e-Governance, he warned that failure to act could leave the government lagging behind citizens and businesses, who are rapidly adopting digital solutions.
Highlighting his experience as the first Local Government Chairman in Nigeria to implement e-Governance, Engr. Ramat said, “Technology is no longer optional; it is the engine of national competitiveness. The future is digital, and the time to embrace it is now.”
Despite over 25 years of reform, nearly 50% of electricity generated in Nigeria is lost due to inefficiencies, discouraging investment and fueling liquidity challenges in the sector. Engr. Ramat emphasized that while the telecom industry thrives on innovation, the power sector’s mixed public-private ownership has hindered uniform digitization. As the apex regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has the mandate to lead digital transformation across the entire value chain.
Engr. Ramat outlined a comprehensive digital strategy to optimize operations, integrate payment and monitoring systems, stabilize the grid, enforce transparency, and reduce technical and commercial losses. Central to this initiative is a mobile application that links Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and the Nigerian System Operator (NISO), enabling real-time visibility into system operations and payment channels.
A whistleblowing platform, modeled after the LURA App pioneered by Engr. Ramat at the local government level, will empower citizens to anonymously report electricity theft, meter bypass, and illegal connections. Collaboration with the EFCC will ensure enforcement through arrests, public accountability measures, and prosecutions under Section 208 of the Electricity Act 2023, which carries penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment. These measures aim to reduce losses, restore investor confidence, and lower tariffs for consumers.
“Ending electricity theft and vandalism is a journey we must all travel together,” Engr. Ramat declared. “With digitization, we can reduce losses, boost efficiency, attract investment, and ultimately lower tariffs. This is not theory—it is achievable, and as Chairman/CEO of NERC, it is a promise.”
Engr. Ramat is recognized as a reform-driven technocrat with a proven track record in digital innovation and e-Governance, committed to transforming Nigeria’s power sector through technology and regulatory leadership.
Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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