Tinubu Champions Africa’s Energy Transformation at Summit in Tanzania, Makes Strategic National Appointments

By Queen Kunde

In a decisive week for Nigeria’s leadership on the continent, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has embarked on a mission to tackle Africa’s energy challenges as he earlier in the week unveiled strategic appointments to drive domestic innovation and governance.

Africa Heads of State Energy Summit
President Tinubu departed Abuja on Sunday to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, slated for January 27-28, 2025. The Summit, organized in collaboration with the African Development Bank and the World Bank, seeks to implement Mission 300—a groundbreaking initiative to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.

Key discussions at the Summit will revolve around scaling energy access in underserved regions, investing in renewable energy, and forging public-private partnerships to achieve energy efficiency.

 President Tinubu will present Nigeria’s national energy compact, showcasing the nation’s clean energy innovations and its integrated approach to delivering sustainable energy across the continent.

The Summit will culminate in the signing of the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap that underscores Africa’s commitment to achieving universal energy access.

Accompanying the President are notable officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser on Energy Olu Verheijen, further highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to its leadership role in Africa’s energy sector.

Strategic Appointments to Bolster Governance and Innovation
Back home, President Tinubu announced the appointment of board chairpersons and executives for 42 federal organizations. These appointments, spanning diverse sectors such as technology incubation, health, aviation, and education, are set to strengthen governance, foster innovation, and boost service delivery across the nation.

Prominent appointees include:

• H.E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje as Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
• Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, an esteemed diplomat, as Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.
• Sen. Magnus Abe as Chairman of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, reflecting Nigeria’s environmental priorities.
• Dr. Kayode Isiak Opeifa as Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation to        spearhead the nation’s rail transport modernization.
•  Hon. Shola Olofin as Chairman Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund.

The President emphasized that board chairpersons are to adopt non-executive roles, ensuring a focus on oversight and strategic direction without interfering in management operations.

A Bold Vision for Africa and Nigeria
This dual-pronged approach—spearheading energy transformation in Africa while reinvigorating domestic institutions—reflects President Tinubu’s broader vision of positioning Nigeria as a catalyst for continental growth and development.

As Africa faces the challenges of energy poverty and institutional gaps, Nigeria’s leadership under Tinubu is proving instrumental in driving change and fostering collaboration, both at home and abroad.