Energy Commission Trains 1,000 Staff On Performance, Productivity

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has launched a major capacity-building programme for over 1,000 staff to tackle inefficiency, strengthen accountability and improve energy service delivery.

The compulsory training, involving management and staff from the Commission’s headquarters and research centres, is aimed at building a competent workforce capable of driving Nigeria’s energy development agenda.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Abuja, Director-General of ECN, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, described the exercise as a milestone in the Commission’s institutional development, noting that it was the first time over 1,000 staff would undergo a unified training programme.

Abdullahi said the initiative was a commitment he made upon assuming office in October 2023, stressing that effective delivery of the Commission’s mandate depended on the competence and professionalism of its workforce.

He said the training would equip staff with the administrative, technical and professional skills needed to improve energy planning, policy coordination and sustainable development of the nation’s energy resources.

The ECN boss expressed confidence that the exercise would translate into improved institutional performance, effective energy policies and better implementation of government programmes, particularly those targeting increased electricity access.

He linked the initiative to the Federal Government’s renewable energy agenda, including the national solarisation programme, insisting that a competent workforce was critical to achieving Nigeria’s energy security objectives.

Abdullahi disclosed that the Commission was considering making the exercise a regular programme, possibly quarterly or twice yearly, depending on available resources.

He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, saying increased government support had placed greater responsibility on the Commission to deliver tangible results.

In a separate interview, the Director of Legal Services, Elama Abdulazeez, said the training would improve staff understanding of the Commission’s statutory responsibilities and the legal framework guiding its operations.

He explained that the initial two-day training would cover general administrative areas, including finance, procurement, stores and general administration, while subsequent sessions would focus on specialised fields such as engineering and research.

Abdulazeez said the programme was designed to make professional development a continuous process rather than a one-off exercise.

On the Federal Government’s solarisation programme, he said it would provide alternative electricity to selected tertiary institutions and healthcare facilities, reducing their dependence on conventional power supply.

He explained that the initiative would lower electricity costs for beneficiary institutions, reduce operational expenses and potentially ease the cost of services to Nigerians.

According to him, electricity previously consumed by solar-powered institutions could also be redirected to other areas experiencing inadequate supply.

He maintained that expanding electricity access through renewable and other energy sources remained crucial to tackling Nigeria’s power challenges.Other puncher headline options: