Jennifer Adighije, managing director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, has called for the optimisation of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure as a critical pathway to unlocking the country’s socio-economic transformation. Speaking at the Distinguished Alumni Lecture organised by the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Lagos, Adighije said reliable power remains the foundation for industrialisation, investment and sustainable national development.
The lecture, titled “Optimising Electricity for Powering Nigeria’s New Socio-Economic Frontiers,” was held at the university’s Engineering Lecture Theatre. Adighije, a UNILAG alumna, described the occasion as both an honour and a homecoming, crediting the institution for the academic foundation that shaped her leadership in the power sector.
She said the theme was timely given the far-reaching reforms underway in Nigeria’s electricity industry aimed at expanding access, attracting investment and improving service delivery. Electricity, she argued, has become the “currency of development” in the global Economy, stressing that nations with reliable and affordable power are better positioned to create jobs, attract investment, drive industrialisation, strengthen Healthcare and education systems, and improve overall quality of life.
Adighije highlighted the Electricity Act 2023 as one of the most significant reforms in the sector, granting states authority to establish and regulate their own electricity markets. The legislation, she said, 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.
The NDPHC, she added, is repositioning to maximise the value of its assets by improving operational efficiency, strengthening corporate governance, fostering strategic partnerships and ensuring that power sector investments translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians. The company remains committed to supporting the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry through efficient asset management and infrastructure optimisation.
Looking ahead, Adighije expressed confidence in the next generation of engineers, saying they would lead the deployment of 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 view engineering as a vocation committed to solving societal challenges and building infrastructure that supports economic growth.
In opening remarks, Vice-Chancellor Folasade Ogunsola described the lecture as a celebration of excellence, collaboration and UNILAG’s enduring legacy. She commended Adighije as a distinguished alumna whose professional accomplishments reflect the university’s commitment to producing graduates with technical competence, integrity and visionary leadership. Ogunsola noted that rapid technological changes associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution have made stronger partnerships among academia, industry and government increasingly important.
The event attracted academics, industry professionals, students and stakeholders from Nigeria’s power sector, providing a platform for robust discussions on electricity sector reforms, innovation and the critical role of engineering in driving the country’s economic development.
