Engr. Prof. James Momoh, Ph.D., FNSE, FIEEE, FAEng, FAS, and Member of the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE)  

Dr.  James A. Momoh received his BS in Electrical Engineering, top of his class at Howard University, MS in Electrical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, MS in Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, PhD in Electrical Engineering at Howard University, and MA in Theology at Howard University, School of Divinity.  

His research interest includes power system automation and optimization application, voltage stability, optimal power flow(OPF), generalized fault studies, transient stability called sampling (Theta), smart grid and micro grid design, automation, and security. Some of the work has also led to the awarding of 4 patents.. He is currently engaged in the application of AI to market design and the study of innovative interface policy regulation technology for power systems and smart village design for energy, education, and entrepreneurship in partnership with IEEE Smart Village. He authored and co-authored over 300 published journal articles and 11 modern textbooks in Power Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Optimization Theory and Applications.    

He served as Chair and CEO, a presidential appointment, of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) from 2018 through 2020, responsible for providing oversight of the overall Nigeria Electricity Industry with major pioneering work in electricity distribution franchising, transactional electricity market design, customer complaint management for power delivery, and regulation on planning and operation to allow for unbundling of ISO and from transmission network company (TCN). He worked on the development of tactical and strategic team planning for the efficiency performance of NERC staff and ensured theimprovement of the power industry’s key performance. He served as the Presidential appointee as  Chairman of the technical board of Electronics Development Institute (ELDI), a part of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), from 2020- 2023. 

Dr. Momoh served as chairman of the Electrical Engineering department at Howard University for 11 years (1989 -2000). He also founded the Center for Energy Systems and Control (CESaC) at Howard University in1984 to present and has served as the Director. Dr. Momoh served as Program Director at NSF from 2001 to 2004, where he was responsible for the energy, power, and computational intelligence program. He designed and developed a new interdisciplinary initiative called Electric Power Networks Efficiency and Security (EPNES). He obtained advanced training in Artificial Intelligence at MIT in 1991, and Utility Regulatory Course at Harvard University in 2019.  

He received the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) – US White House Presidential Young Investigator (PYI) award and several other awards and fellowships. 

Dr. Momoh is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) Academy of Science, and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). He is a Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in the US. 

He was awarded the 2021 Tau Beta PI Distinguished Alumnus Award (National Engineering Honor Society).  

He was inaugurated as a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, for his contributions to engineering: the development of the electric grid, optimization techniques, implementation of advanced technology, and policy for emerging electric grids in Africa. He received the Distinguished Alumni Faculty Excellence award of the College of Engineering and Architecture at Howard University in 2022. He was honored as a distinguished guest speaker at Texas A&M University in 2023. 

 He was awarded the District of Columbia Council of Engineering and Architectural Societies (DCCEAS) 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award, February 24^th, 2024. 

 He was awarded the 20^th Anniversary Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC)  for exemplary leadership and service during his tenure as the Chief Executive and Chairman, 2018-2020, October 30^th,2025.