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The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, has advocated the need for the optimisation of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure as a critical pathway to unlocking the country’s socio-economic transformation.
In a statement on Sunday, Adighije said reliable power remains the foundation for industrialisation, investment and sustainable national development.
She spoke while delivering the Distinguished Alumni Lecture organised by the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, UNILAG.
The lecture, titled “Optimising Electricity for Powering Nigeria’s New Socio-Economic Frontiers,” was held at the Engineering Lecture Theatre.
She said the lecture theme came at a period when Nigeria’s electricity industry is undergoing far-reaching reforms aimed at expanding access, attracting investment and improving service delivery.
She said electricity has become the “currency of development” in today’s global economy, adding that nations with reliable and affordable power supply are better positioned to create jobs, attract investments, drive industrialisation, strengthen healthcare and education systems, and improve the overall quality of life of their citizens.
According to her, the Electricity Act 2023 represents one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria’s power sector by granting states the authority to establish and regulate their own electricity markets.
She added: “The legislation has created unprecedented opportunities for investment, innovation, competition and improved service delivery while accelerating the emergence of vibrant sub-national electricity markets capable of attracting greater private-sector participation.”
She said NDPHC is repositioning itself to maximise the value of its assets by improving operational efficiency, strengthening corporate governance, fostering strategic partnerships and ensuring that investments in the power sector translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) through efficient asset management and infrastructure optimisation.
She expressed confidence that in the next generation of engineers, saying they would play a leading role in deploying smarter electricity grids and cleaner, technology-driven energy systems powered by artificial intelligence, automation, battery storage, smart metering and advanced power electronics.
She urged engineering students to embrace continuous learning, maintain professional discipline and see engineering as a vocation committed to solving societal challenges and building infrastructure that supports economic growth.
She said Nigeria’s electricity sector is entering a new era characterised by reform, innovation, collaboration and increased investment, emphasising that optimising electricity is essential to powering homes, industries and businesses while unlocking the country’s enormous socio-economic potential.
Speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, described the lecture as a celebration of excellence, collaboration and the enduring legacy of UNILAG.
She commended Adighije as one of the University’s distinguished alumni whose professional accomplishments reflect the institution’s commitment to producing graduates with technical competence, integrity and visionary leadership.
She noted that the rapid technological changes associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution have made stronger partnerships among academia, industry and government increasingly important.
“Through initiatives such as this, we create platforms where experience meets aspiration and where our students are inspired by those who have successfully translated knowledge into impactful service,” she said.
