By Francis Emechete
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) was established in August 2005 as a special-purpose vehicle to implement the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP). With ten gas-fired power plants spread across various parts of the country, NDPHC was created with a strategic mandate to drive the implementation of the NIPP and to address critical infrastructure gaps in Nigeria’s electricity supply industry.
The appointment of Engr. Jennifer Adighije by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Managing Director/ CEO of NDPHC in August 2024 ushered in a bold new era for Nigeria’s power sector.
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With a clear vision and unwavering commitment, she is charting a transformative path toward a more sustainable, resilient, and efficient energy future, firmly establishing herself as a trailblazer in the industry.
Engr. Adighije’s academic journey provided a solid foundation for her diverse and impactful career. With a B.Sc. in Electrical/Electronics Engineering from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc. in Wireless Networks and Telecommunications from the prestigious Queen Mary University, London, where she graduated with distinction.
Engr. Adighije’s professional journey spans multiple sectors, reflecting a dynamic and well-rounded career. She began as a Transmission Maintenance Engineer at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) before transitioning to the telecommunications industry, where she held key positions at Globacom and Helios Towers Nigeria.
In 2018, she joined the Central Bank of Nigeria as a Value Engineer and Cost Controller in the Procurement Department.
Her transition into public service deepened in September 2023 with her appointment as Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Entrepreneurship Development in Communications, Innovation, and the Digital Economy.
Upon assuming leadership of NDPHC in August 2024, Engr. Jennifer Adighije articulated a clear vision aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Engr. Adighije’s strategy is built on three core pillars: optimizing asset performance, enhancing process efficiency, and harnessing technology and human capital to drive meaningful transformation. She places strong emphasis on the value of people, firmly maintaining that human capital is the company’s greatest asset and a critical driver of operational excellence and long-term success.
Before August 2024, several National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) plants including Ihovbor, Omotosho, and Sapele GT consistently recorded Plant Availability Factors (PAFs) below 5%, largely due to chronic gas supply constraints that had severely hindered their operations.
This was accompanied by targeted interventions to address persistent gas supply disruptions and operational inefficiencies
These efforts have already begun to yield measurable results. A notable milestone is the successful restoration of two turbine units at the Ihovbor Power Plant in Edo State, adding 230 MW to the national grid. This achievement reflects broader improvements in plant availability and performance across key NIPP facilities.
Remarkably, the Ihovbor plant recorded a 186.13% increase in power generation, rising from 9,600 MWh in August 2024 to 39,726 MWh by April 2025 underscoring the effectiveness of the strategic interventions.
This turnaround stands as a testament to the effectiveness of the new management’s strategic approach and offers hope for broader improvements across Nigeria’s struggling electricity sector.
Upon assuming office, the new management prioritized stronger cohesion within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), fostering strategic partnerships with key stakeholders such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), distribution licensees, and other critical market players. These collaborations have enhanced coordination across the value chain, reduced project bottlenecks, and improved grid stability.
A key achievement of the new management led by Engr. Adighije is the facilitation of bilateral agreements aimed at addressing stranded power. By channeling excess generation directly to eligible customers under the Eligible Customer Regulation (ECR), NDPHC has significantly improved plant utilization, boosted revenue generation, and reduced dependence on inconsistent remittances from distribution companies.
These efforts are unlocking financing for critical infrastructure upgrades, accelerating project delivery, and bolstering investor confidence. In turn, this contributes to a more reliable and sustainable power supply across Nigeria, aligning with the company’s core mandate of addressing infrastructure gaps and expanding electricity delivery nationwide.
Another bold initiative championed by Engr. Adighije is the prioritization of financial stability within the power sector. Under her leadership, NDPHC has intensified the recovery of debts from bilateral cross-border customers and other market participants.
A strategic move aimed at easing longstanding cash flow constraints that have historically hampered operations and delayed progress.
To support this initiative, the management has engaged with NERC to obtain directives and streamline the recovery process, reinforcing its commitment to transparency and compliance.
The success of this effort will better position NDPHC to invest in critical infrastructure, expand generation capacity, and play a more impactful role in strengthening Nigeria’s electricity supply industry.
In its continued commitment to promoting transparency and accountability, the new management has forged a strategic partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle procurement-related irregularities.
The collaboration aims to identify and address fraudulent practices by contractors, ensuring that all procurement activities uphold the highest standards of integrity and due process.
The initiative also reinforces a culture of accountability within NDPHC, serving as a deterrent to unethical conduct while encouraging compliance among contractors and stakeholders.
By working closely with the EFCC, NDPHC is strengthening its internal control mechanisms, boosting operational efficiency, and advancing the broader national objective of curbing corruption within Nigeria’s power sector.
Beyond her role at NDPHC, Engr. Adighije is deeply committed to social impact, serving as Patron of the Digi-Tech Empowerment Foundation for Youths.
Her leadership has earned international acclaim, including recognition as one of the Top 100 Influential Global Voices in 2025 by Leaders Without Borders.
She was also awarded a Professional Doctorate in Leadership and Management by the City University of Paris and inducted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, USA.
In April 2025, she received the Young Achiever of the Year Award at the Energy Times Awards for her exceptional contributions to the power sector.
Although Engr. Jennifer Adighije has served as Managing Director/CEO of NDPHC for only nine months, her tenure has already been marked by exceptional leadership, strong technical expertise, and a results-driven approach rooted in integrity. Her approach combines innovation, strategic foresight, and a strong commitment to national development.
With a clear focus on operational efficiency and human capital development, she has reinvigorated NDPHC, positioning it as a central force in Nigeria’s energy transformation.
To build on these gains, the government must continue to champion technocratic leadership, uphold policy continuity, and institutionalize the reforms initiated under her watch. Strengthening transparency, investing in workforce development, and enhancing regulatory alignment will be essential to consolidating progress and advancing long-term transformation in Nigeria’s power sector.
Francis Emechete, LLM
[email protected]
Francis is an Energy Lawyer and write from Abuja
