Energy remains the fundamental driver of industrial expansion and national economic transformation, serving as the indispensable currency of development in the modern global economy.
This assertion formed the centerpiece of a keynote address delivered by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), Engr. Jennifer Adighije, during the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Distinguished Alumni Lecture.
The event, organized by UNILAG’s Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, centered on the theme “Optimizing Electricity for Powering Nigeria’s New Socio-Economic Frontiers.”
Addressing an audience of academic leaders, industry experts, and students, Engr. Adighije highlighted the strategic necessity of a reliable and efficient power supply to catalyze investment, spur job creation, and accelerate sustainable national growth.
Returning to her alma mater, the NDPHC chief described the occasion as both a deep honor and a homecoming, crediting the university’s rigorous academic foundation with shaping her professional trajectory and preparing her for executive leadership within Nigeria’s power ecosystem.
In her analysis of the regulatory landscape, Engr. Adighije pointed to the Electricity Act 2023 as a pivotal turning point for the nation’s energy future.
She emphasized that decentralized regulatory authority which now grants state governments the power to generate, transmit, and regulate their own electricity markets opens unprecedented avenues for private investment, market competition, and technical innovation.
Under her administration, the NDPHC is aggressively pursuing corporate strategies designed to optimize existing generation assets, enhance operational efficiency, reinforce corporate governance, and build high-impact public-private partnerships.
Looking to the future, Engr. Adighije challenged the next generation of engineers to pioneer solutions to long-standing energy infrastructure deficits.
She urged students and early-career professionals to master emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, automated grid management, battery storage systems, and smart distribution networks to build a resilient energy matrix for the nation.
Commending the guest lecturer, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola praised Engr. Adighije for her technical excellence and visionary leadership at the helm of NDPHC, citing her career as a primary example of the institution’s impact on national development.
The lecture concluded with the presentation of a commemorative plaque honoring Engr. Adighije for her service to the nation’s power sector and her dedicated mentorship of emerging engineering talent.
The NDPHC CEO attended the ceremony alongside senior executive management, including the Executive Director for Legal Services and Company Secretary, Dr. Steven Andzenge