By Joel Ajayi
The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Abdullahi Mustapha, has dismissed allegations linking the commission to alleged financial impropriety involving about $500 billion, describing the claims as baseless and a distraction from its achievements in transforming Nigeria’s energy sector.
Mustapha made the clarification while responding to questions from journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, shortly after presenting his manifesto, tagged “Development, Unification, Infrastructure and Consolidation (DUIC),” ahead of the October 15 Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) presidential election.
The ECN boss, who was responding to questions on the alleged financial transactions, said the commission operates strictly within government-approved budgetary and procurement procedures.
According to him, ECN is funded by the Federal Government through appropriations approved by the National Assembly for specific projects, stressing that such funds cannot be withdrawn or spent at the discretion of individual officials.
He explained that government contracts must pass through established due-process requirements, including appropriate procurement procedures, advertisement where necessary and obtaining the required “no objection” from relevant authorities.
Mustapha maintained that the commission does not directly control or keep appropriated funds in a manner that allows officials to spend them arbitrarily.
He acknowledged that investigative agencies have the right to investigate allegations concerning public institutions, but stressed that the outcome of any investigation should form the basis for judgment rather than unverified reports.
He said he honoured an invitation from investigators and insisted that neither he nor the commission was arrested over the matter.
Mustapha expressed concern that negative reports often attract greater publicity than positive developments, noting that allegations could spread rapidly before the facts surrounding them were established.
He therefore urged the media and members of the public to pay greater attention to ECN’s mandate and its contributions to Nigeria’s energy transition.
The ECN boss explained that the commission’s responsibility goes beyond electricity generation, noting that it is principally a policy, energy planning and development agency responsible for formulating workable policies for the country’s energy sector.
He identified the National Energy Policy and National Energy Master Plan as major milestones, saying the documents provide strategic direction for Nigeria’s long-term energy development.
Mustapha also highlighted the commission’s renewable energy initiatives, including the establishment of a renewable energy training facility aimed at building the capacity of young Nigerians in emerging areas of the green economy.
He said the facility provides training in areas including green hydrogen, solar energy, wind energy, hydropower and climate change-related studies.
According to him, the initiative is designed to equip young people, particularly those from grassroots communities, with practical skills that can improve their employment prospects and participation in the emerging green economy.
Another major intervention, he said, is the National Grid Solarisation Programme, which provides renewable energy solutions for critical infrastructure across the country.
The programme targets institutions including universities, primary healthcare centres, hospitals and other critical public facilities.
Mustapha disclosed that the commission had deployed more than 100 megawatts of solar and microgrid systems across universities and healthcare facilities in different parts of Nigeria.
He said the intervention formed part of Federal Government efforts to provide alternative and sustainable energy solutions while reducing dependence on conventional power sources.
“We are giving them alternatives. We are solving the problem. We are intervening,” he said.
The ECN boss stressed that the commission’s mandate is not limited to increasing energy generation but also encompasses sustainability, renewable energy development and energy efficiency.
He said the commission would continue working to ensure that Nigeria maximises its available energy resources while developing cleaner and more sustainable alternatives.
Mustapha urged Nigerians not to allow allegations and negative reports to overshadow progress being recorded in the energy sector, assuring that ECN would remain focused on implementing policies and programmes capable of strengthening Nigeria’s energy security and supporting economic development.
“We should not be distracted by the $500 billion issue. We will continue to focus on what we have been established to achieve, “he stated.
