In the appointment of Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi as the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), stakeholders roundly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the choice of this astute and result-oriented energy expert and policy strategist—a visionary administrator.
The saying that a golden fish has no hiding place aptly qualifies Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi’s appointment by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who was able to spot the energy poster boy and place him strategically where competence meets passion.
Indeed, the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi as the Director-General of the Energy Commission qualifies the saying of putting a round peg in a round hole.
Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, who combines academic distinction with hands-on experience in energy systems, regulation, and innovation, has variously been described by stakeholders as a key figure in shaping Nigeria’s energy future—scoring a vital point in the Renewed Hope Initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which clearly aims to resuscitate and reinvigorate the country’s energy sector.
As an avid scholar who holds a master’s and a doctorate in Engineering from the prestigious University of Manchester, and who has also served as a Research Associate and Teaching Assistant in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil Engineering in the same institution, Dr. Abdullahi’s penchant for excellence is distinctive and highly commendable.
As a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE), Dr. Abdullahi has distinguished himself in ways so uncommon and achievements quite alluring. His commitment to professional excellence and technical innovation underscores his capacity and capabilities in delivering on the mandate of the Energy Sector and the Commission generally.
As a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, from 2021 to 2023, Dr. Abdullahi conducted an impactful research entitled “Assessment of the Structural Integrity,” contributing valuable insights to the field. His work was recognized and supported by the Industry Collaboration Fund, United Kingdom, highlighting his commitment to advancing knowledge through industry-academia collaboration.
Dr. Abdullahi has over 14 years of experience in Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly within the oil and gas industry, and is known to have spent a significant part of his career at the Department of Petroleum Resources (now the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission—NUPRC), contributing to regulatory policy, energy systems management, and sustainability initiatives.
His technical competence is further complemented by his role at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), where he engaged in research and development at the intersection of space and energy technology.
Before being appointed as Director-General of ECN, Dr. Abdullahi served as the Senior Technical Adviser to the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji. In that capacity, he was instrumental in shaping national policies that promoted innovation, renewable energy adoption, and scientific advancement.
His advisory role provided strategic direction for programmes aimed at building Nigeria’s technological capacity in line with global sustainability trends.
He is widely reputed to be a multi-disciplinary leader, with a systems-thinking approach to Nigeria’s energy challenges, integrating insights from engineering, space research, and policy.
Since assuming office as
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