Jennifer Adighije, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), reflects on her first year in office, highlighting significant strides in repositioning the company amidst a challenging operational landscape. Adighije’s tenure began with a comprehensive assessment of NDPHC’s generation assets, revealing underutilization and operational inefficiencies across several power plants. Her immediate focus was restoring these idle plants, including Ihovbor, Alaoji, and Omotosho NIPP, which were operating at extremely low capacity. Through strategic interventions such as engaging original equipment manufacturers, securing stable gas supplies, and building an in-house rapid response team, Adighije successfully recovered five turbine units, adding 625 megawatts to the national grid. This achievement not only increased power availability but also significantly boosted investor confidence in NDPHC’s capabilities.
Recognizing the limitations of the centralized electricity market, Adighije spearheaded a shift towards bilateral power sales agreements with large, creditworthy consumers. This strategic move aimed to bypass market inefficiencies and enhance NDPHC’s revenue stream. Furthermore, Adighije initiated strategic partnerships with technology giants like Oracle and Microsoft to modernize operations, improve efficiency, and support data-driven decision-making. A collaboration with Haier Technologies and NASENI focuses on developing local manufacturing capacity for renewable energy solutions, specifically targeting cost-effective electricity for businesses in Kano State. These initiatives reflect Adighije’s commitment to aligning NDPHC with global energy trends and driving innovation within the Nigerian power sector.
Adighije inherited a company grappling with acute liquidity challenges stemming from substantial unpaid debts and operational inefficiencies. These financial constraints, coupled with dormant assets and diminished stakeholder confidence, posed a significant threat to NDPHC’s sustainability. To address these issues, she implemented a multi-pronged strategy involving restructuring power sales, addressing gas supply and evacuation bottlenecks through strategic collaborations, and reinforcing regulatory compliance. These efforts have contributed to a more stable and forward-looking NDPHC. Furthermore, Adighije prioritized corporate governance reforms, implementing a performance monitoring framework with clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and quarterly reviews to ensure accountability and track progress. She also streamlined procurement and financial processes, strengthening internal controls and enhancing transparency. A partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) further underscores her commitment to tackling corruption within the power sector.
A major highlight of Adighije’s first year is the significant progress made in recovering dormant turbine units, resulting in a 625 MW boost to the national grid. This achievement demonstrates the impact of focused leadership and strategic interventions. To address transmission bottlenecks, Adighije fostered closer collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), establishing a joint task framework for better coordination. Simultaneously, she explored embedded and bilateral power solutions to circumvent grid constraints and directly serve eligible customers. Adighije also tackled gas supply challenges by renegotiating agreements with suppliers, clearing legacy payment issues, and establishing robust monitoring mechanisms. These efforts have led to improved gas availability for plants like Alaoji and Geregu.
Addressing the issue of uncompleted NIPP projects, Adighije reported significant progress, particularly with the Egbema Power Plant, which has reached 80% completion. The Gbarain plant, offline since a fire incident in 2020, is also on track for restoration by 2026, with contracts awarded for the power control module restoration. Transmission projects, however, face funding challenges due to their dollar denomination and unresolved investment recoupment issues. Adighije is actively seeking regulatory intervention to resolve these long-standing financial hurdles. Under Adighije’s leadership, NDPHC has implemented numerous distribution electrification projects, benefiting thousands of households across multiple geopolitical zones. These projects include grid extensions, substations, and standalone solar home systems, demonstrating NDPHC’s commitment to rural electrification.
To secure funding and investment support, Adighije has engaged local and international development finance institutions, implementing project-specific investment frameworks aligned with the President’s energy transition plan. A key partnership with NASENI aims to unlock access to technical support, funding, and co-investment opportunities for renewable energy projects. Adighije is also exploring public-private partnerships and bilateral power sales agreements to enhance liquidity and financial stability. In managing NDPHC’s debt burden, Adighije has advocated for improved market discipline and enforcement of payment obligations by relevant institutions. Internally, she implemented stricter financial controls, optimized revenue tracking, and pursued cost-cutting measures. Negotiations with gas suppliers and creditors have led to the restructuring of obligations to align with current cash flow realities.
Recognizing the global shift towards renewable energy, Adighije has prioritized integrating these sources into NDPHC’s operations. Feasibility studies and project development for solar mini-grids, particularly for underserved rural communities, are underway. Collaborations with development finance institutions, private investors, and technical partners are also being explored to scale up renewable energy deployment. Partnerships with NASENI, Microsoft Nigeria, and Schneider Electric are furthering the integration of smart energy technologies and innovative solutions such as energy storage systems and digital monitoring tools. Looking ahead, Adighije’s agenda for the next year focuses on achieving commercial sustainability through bilateral power sales, completing critical NIPP projects, optimizing existing assets, and investing in renewable energy. She also emphasizes human capital development, prioritizing succession planning and gender inclusion to build a future-ready workforce. Adighije envisions NDPHC becoming a commercially sustainable, technologically advanced, and socially impactful company within the next five years. She aims to drive industrialization, foster transparency and efficiency, and establish NDPHC as a model federation company delivering value to both the government and the Nigerian people. Adighije reassures Nigerians of NDPHC’s unwavering commitment to addressing the nation’s power challenges, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to optimize assets, revive idle plants, and drive innovative energy solutions for affordable and reliable power access. She underlines NDPHC’s determination to lead with integrity, technical excellence, and a strong sense of national duty.
