NIGERIA’S LAUDABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR WITH ABDULLAHI MUSTAPHA Ph.D, DG ENERGY COMMISSION OF NIGERIA

NIGERIA’S LAUDABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR WITH ABDULLAHI MUSTAPHA Ph.D, DG ENERGY COMMISSION OF NIGERIA

 

 

In the last two years of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, Nigerians and foreigners alike have witnessed a huge surge in the country’s leap towards visible and sustainable growth in the renewable energy sector. This becomes more evident as the country moves towards closing the energy gap, thereby, ensuring power stability for all Nigerians.

 

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the federal government, through the Energy Commission of Nigeria, ECN led by the indefatigable Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha as Director General/Chief Executive, introduced the Renewable Energy; brining into the homes of Nigerians, the gains of solarization ensuring that critical sectors of the economy enjoy stable power supply.

 

According to Dr. Mustapha, “Renewable energy (RE) solutions present a practical and sustainable way to address the challenges created by persistent national grid collapses and other energy crises. The national grid in its current state requires more reliable alternative within the power generation ecosystem.

 

 

He restated the need to infuse RE solutions, such as solar energy, wind power and hydropower, remains crucial in addressing current power generation challenges, stressing that “the federal government has already begun to implement the National Renewable Energy Roadmap (NRER) developed by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in collaboration with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) with a clear aim of providing alternative power that reduce reliance on the centralized grid while maintaining at least an average power supply through decentralization.”.

 

 

 

According to Dr. Mustapha, “Decentralized RE systems will play a key role in bridging the current power supply gap. For instance, photovoltaic solar and onshore wind systems can power rural and semi-urban areas often neglected by the national grid. These systems will not only provide consistent electricity but also empower rural economies, enabling micro-businesses to grow and improving access to essential services such as healthcare and education. With meaningful local and global collaborations, we can achieve the optimal installed capacity of electricity by leveraging on RE sources to ensure energy stability across the country”

 

He enthused the capacity and capability of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, under his stewardship, to act as a catalyst, which would champion policies that attract private sector investment, build local capacity, and prioritize renewable energy integration through extended collaborations with stakeholders, governments, and global communities.

 

 

The ECN Director General reiterated that the National Energy Policy and its Master Plan recently unveiled by the Federal Government through ECN, seek to increase the renewable electricity generation by aggressively pursuing RE energy integration into the Nation’s energy mix. 

 

 

“The RE systems have become more efficient and cheaper over the years, a paradigm shift to renewable energy will substantially close the energy gaps, reduce grid disruptions, and accelerate its journey toward energy independence and economic growth”, Abdullahi stated.

 

 

Since his assumption into office as Director General of the ECN, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi has carved a niche for himself with stakeholders applauding his enviable strides in repositioning the Commission from its near-obscurity where it had been plunged into in the decades past.

 

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his choice of Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi as Chief Executive of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, foresaw the qualities; passion, dedication and most especially, capacity to actualize the Renewed Hope Agenda; his campaign catch-phrase that aims to retool the country and ensure that it takes its rightful [lace in the comity of nations in the global society.

 

 

Dr. Abdullahi, shortly after his assumption, set to task in delivering on the mandate and this, according to industry watchers, leaves one without to a choice but to affirm that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man known to assemble quality hands to deliver on his set tasks, indeed made the right choice.

 

 

Followers of the trajectory of President Tinubu’s governance style express their confidence in his administration to rewrite the Nigerian story and return the nation to the path of sustainable growth development and shared prosperity. His stern advisory to his appointees to match his vision in delivering on the Renewed Hope Initiative of his administration, most certainly is bearing fruit with many of these appointees, creating landmark achievements in their various areas of responsibilities.

 

 

As a visionary, Dr. Abdullahi on assumption of office, did not hesitate to point out his direction and focus; “delivering on Mr. President’s mandate in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, comes first as far as the Energy Commission of Nigeria is concerned”, stressing that; “Under my stewardship and with the support of our dedicated staff and stakeholders, 

the ECN as the Lead Agency in the country’s push for energy transition will set the tone for economic development based on progressive innovation and policy initiatives as envisioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

 

 

 

Indeed, industry watchers and stakeholders in the sector have continued to applaud his every stride which, in their varying opinions, will set the pace for a new dawn for the country’s energy economy, as he is indeed poised to create a new face for the sector with result driven policies and quality leadership that will attract positive investment, growth and sustainable development for the industry.

 

 

The agenda of Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, since emerging as the DG of the Commission has remained hinged on five points: vis-à-vis;  

 

* Integration of the Renewable and Alternative Energy Policy Structure into the Mainstream National Energy Architecture.

* Immediate facilitation of the actualization of the Energy Transition Plan

* Facilitation of Research and Development Funding and Partnership Initiatives in the Energy Sector. 

* Review of extant Energy Policies, Initiatives and Frameworks to stimulate economic development.

* Facilitation of improved welfare consideration for staff of the Commission commensurate with standards in the Energy Sector.

 

 

While many stakeholders laud the initiative of the Tinubu administration and the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take the nations power sector as top priority and then, his choice of Mustapha Abdullahi Ph.D. to head the ECN, others say it that was one of the best moves of the President as the Commission has moved away from its near obscurity to a point of global recognition following the positive push of the Commission, led by the indefatigable Director General.

 

 

With his commitment, dedication and zeal to actualize the mandate of the Commission as dictated by the Renewed Hope Agenda, Abdullahi has displayed tremendous capacity to make a positive mark. These attributes have seen him engage with prominent global leaders in discussions on Renewable Energy. Of great note is his outstanding performance at the annual global event, #COP28UAE, and other international events including the G20 Energy Summit in Brasilia, Brazil where he spoke on behalf of Africa, emphasizing energy transitions and net-zero emissions, and in Cape Town, South Africa where he presented a paper at the Africa Energy Indaba Summit alongside other global energy experts.

 

 

His thirst for achieving excellence in service delivery or quality leadership deliverables has remained a point of referencing with the energy sector. From providing leadership for West African sub-region and beyond, to leading advocacy on energy transition from fossil fuel in international space, Mustapha Abdullahi has displayed a strong resolve to exploring renewable and alternative energy to provide homegrown solutions to the energy needs of the Nigerian people.

 

 

As the new Chairman, Nigeria National Committee on World Energy Council (NNC WEC), Dr. Mustapha, it is recalled, had proposed to activate mechanisms with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) geared towards instauration of novel action plans that would not only change the ugly story of the energy economy of the country, but also that of West Africa sub-region and Africa as a whole. He is, at the moment working through tapping opportunities through the West African Power Pool (WAPP), an institution within the ECOWAS to chart a new cause for the energy economy for the country, Africans

 

 

Knowing and appreciating the needs of his team and workers around him, Abdullahi appreciates the fact that securing the efficiency of your colleagues and workers alike, is hinged, often times on staff motivation at work place. “A value-driven leadership spurs its workforce to efficiency and optimal performance through incentives and conducive working environment.” He is a leader with ample experience that cuts across the globe recognizes workers’ psyche at work, especially when such workforce is motivated. He understands that remuneration is a major factor in the determination of a worker’s productivity. He is aware of the near-zero motivation and he was prepared to address the situation frontally by making the necessary moves that would ultimately enliven the workers’ spirit and gear them towards the overall success of his leadership at the Commission. As an expert, Abdullahi recognizes the value of human capital development in driving positive change and understands that the Commission is largely knowledge-driven,

 

 

With a leadership that encourages inclusivity, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi has ensured that all regions of the country are captured in the activities of the Commission. The groundbreaking ceremony of an Assembly Plant in the Ihunekwagu Autonomous Community, Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. The event came up as a corollary of the need to boost access to affordable electricity in the country, and to take several communities off the national grid. 

 

In addressing the electricity menace therefore, the visionary Chief Executive of the Energy Commission saw an opportunity in photovoltaic (PV) electricity to provide alternative energy to millions of households. Hence, consolidating the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President. Such solar PV module assembling plant which will provide sustainable, reliable, and decentralized power source capable of reaching the remotest part of the country – thereby giving light and hope to Nigerians; one of the initiatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu’s administration.

 

 

Dr. Abdullahi’s leadership on Saturday, August 10, 2024 scored another record breaking milestone the ground-breaking ceremony of Barefoot Renewable Energy College (BRE College), Osara, Kogi State. The concept of a Renewable Energy College was in line with the manifesto of President Tinubu whose party’s agenda is to explore various energy potential of the country, one move that will see the country take a bold leap further into transitioning from fossil-based energy resources to renewable energy. The Barefoot Renewable Energy College was conceptualized to bridge the energy manpower gap, drive innovation, competence, and self-reliance in the renewable energy sector. The future is assured with a safer environment and a cleaner energy. 

 

 

 

Under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Mustapha, the Commission collaborated with a number of development partners, international organizations as well as relevant and critical stakeholders such as:

 

• The United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) and Clean Cooling 

Collaborative (CCC) on Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in the area of 

Air-conditioners that aims to reduce carbon emissions, thereby leading to safer environment.

• Signing up a tripartite wind energy agreement at the #COP28UAE held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and the Niger State Government.

• Teaming up with the United Kingdom’s Department for Business, Energy and 

Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for energy planning workshop.

• Collaboration with DEWA and the European Union (EU) delegation on energy transition initiative of his leadership at the Commission.

• Capacity building of the Commission’s staff with the Economic Community of 

West African States (ECOWAS).

• Entered into partnership agreement with the National Biomass Ethanol 

Programme (NBEP) amongst others.

 

 

Celebrating such a worthy personality is not out of the ordinary as this gentleman is indeed deserving of commendation and due recognition following his verifiable leadership milestones and footprints that have been firmly etched into the sands of time in the country’s energy space and beyond. It is also, worthy of mention that Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi will lead and coordinate the record breaking Nigeria-Germany $130billion Global Hydrogen Project from the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic. Such pedestal does not come on a platter of gold, but of capacity, competence and trust in this jewel from the savannah. 

 

 

To the discerning eyes, Mustapha Abdullahi is one young gentleman poised for greater heights as he remains focused on delivering on the set goals and mandate of the ENERGY Commission of Nigeria under the guidance of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; a leader of men whose visionary leadership, tenacity, doggedness and strong political will to reshape the country for the collective good of all, remains unshakeable.