Abdullahi Empowers Young Nigerians Through Energy Fellowship

The Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship has equipped more than 80 young Nigerians with startup grants and leadership skills to support the future of Nigeria’s energy sector.

The first edition of the MAELF 2026 fellowship was led by Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN). The week-long programme ended in Abuja on Friday with certificate presentations and an empowerment package worth more than N17 million.

The package included startup grants between N500,000 and N5 million for outstanding participants. Organised through the DAM Foundation in partnership with the APC National Youth Wing, the programme focused on building young leaders through energy policy, entrepreneurship, innovation, governance and sustainable development training.

The residential fellowship brought together selected participants from across Nigeria for six days of lectures, policy discussions, mentorship, innovation workshops, team projects and networking activities. The Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship also gave participants practical knowledge of the country’s energy ecosystem while helping them develop professional networks and entrepreneurial skills.

Several notable figures engaged with the fellows, including Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN), Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology; Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, Minister of Youth Development; and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Abdullahi said the MAELF 2026 fellowship was created to develop ethical and visionary leaders who can support Nigeria’s energy transition.

“As I look around this hall today, I see not just graduates of a fellowship programme; I see ambassadors of hope, innovators in waiting, solution providers and future architects of Nigeria’s energy future,” he said.

He added that leadership requires integrity, excellence and service, stating: “Certificates may open doors, but character sustains leadership. Knowledge may create opportunities, but integrity preserves them. Influence may attract followers, but service is what builds lasting legacies,” Abdullahi said.

The ECN chief executive explained that the energy sector is not only about infrastructure but also about improving lives, creating opportunities and supporting economic growth. He encouraged fellows to promote clean energy solutions and continue developing ideas that can contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable development.

The organisers described the successful completion of the Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship as a key step in youth empowerment, with plans for future editions to strengthen leadership capacity.

How can young leaders help shape Nigeria’s energy future?