Meet Sherifat Adegbenro, Appointed Acting CEO of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC)

Sherifat Adegbenro has been formally appointed as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) Plc, following approval from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Her appointment, announced on March 23, 2026, is designed to ensure leadership continuity at one of Nigeria’s largest electricity distribution firms while the company finalizes the selection of a substantive CEO.

Adegbenro’s elevation to the acting CEO role reflects her extensive experience and track record within EKEDC. Before this appointment, she served as the company’s Deputy CEO, a position she attained after a successful tenure as Chief Audit and Compliance Officer.

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Her career at EKEDC has been marked by a consistent focus on governance, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance—skills that are critical to managing a utility of EKEDC’s scale, serving millions of customers across Lagos State and surrounding areas.

In her statement, NERC highlighted that Adegbenro’s appointment aligns with the Code of Corporate Governance for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong and stable leadership during transitional periods. “This appointment ensures leadership continuity pending the DisCo’s appointment of a substantive CEO,” the regulator said, signaling confidence in her ability to guide the company through ongoing operational and strategic challenges.

Adegbenro succeeds Wola Joseph-Condotti, who had been serving as interim CEO since January 2026. Her appointment comes at a critical time for EKEDC, following the completion of a significant ownership transition.

On December 30, 2025, Transgrid Enerco Limited, a Nigerian consortium, acquired a 60 percent controlling stake in EKEDC for N360 billion, marking one of the most significant investments in Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector in recent years. The consortium comprises North-South Power (NSP), owners of Shiroro Dam; Stanbic Infrastructure Fund; and Axxela, an oil and gas company. The acquisition involved an initial cash payment of N180 billion, with the remaining N180 billion secured through bank guarantees.

With this new ownership structure, EKEDC is poised to enhance its operational efficiency, expand infrastructure, and improve customer service. As acting CEO, Adegbenro is expected to play a pivotal role in steering the company through this transformative period, ensuring that strategic objectives are met while maintaining regulatory compliance and financial discipline.

Throughout her career, Adegbenro has demonstrated a commitment to transparency, risk management, and corporate governance—qualities that are particularly important in the power sector, which faces ongoing challenges related to grid reliability, revenue collection, and customer satisfaction. Her experience in audit and compliance provides her with a strong foundation to implement robust internal controls and operational oversight, ensuring that EKEDC meets both regulatory requirements and shareholder expectations.

In addition to her technical expertise, Adegbenro is recognized for her leadership and team-building capabilities. She has worked closely with cross-functional teams to improve operational workflows, optimize resource allocation, and develop strategies to enhance service delivery. Her approach to leadership combines analytical rigor with a collaborative mindset, enabling her to address complex challenges while fostering a culture of accountability and innovation within the organization.

As EKEDC navigates its next phase under new ownership and ongoing sector reforms, Sherifat Adegbenro’s appointment as acting CEO positions the company for continuity, stability, and growth. Her deep institutional knowledge, regulatory experience, and strategic vision make her well-equipped to lead EKEDC through this pivotal period, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering reliable electricity to its customers while driving long-term value for stakeholders.

Sherifat Adegbenro’s appointment not only underscores her personal achievements within Nigeria’s electricity sector but also reflects a broader trend of empowering skilled and experienced leaders to take on pivotal roles in critical infrastructure companies. As she assumes her new responsibilities, industry observers and customers alike will be watching closely, confident that her leadership will help EKEDC meet its operational, financial, and strategic goals in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.