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ECN DG Dr Mustapha Vows to Accelerate Nigeria’s Energy Transformation
By Joel Ajayi
The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Abdullahi Mustapha, has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s energy transformation through strategic policies, renewable energy development, capacity building and sustainable energy solutions.
Mustapha stated this 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.
He said the ECN was focused on delivering policies and programmes capable of strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, improving energy efficiency and supporting the country’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
According to him, the commission’s mandate extends beyond electricity generation, as it is principally responsible for energy policy formulation, planning and development.
Mustapha identified the National Energy Policy and National Energy Master Plan as major milestones in the commission’s efforts to provide a coordinated and sustainable direction for Nigeria’s energy sector.
He said the policy framework would help guide the country’s long-term energy development while ensuring that available resources are effectively harnessed to support economic growth.
The ECN boss also highlighted the commission’s growing focus on renewable energy and human-capacity development, including the establishment of a renewable energy training facility to equip young Nigerians with practical skills for the emerging green economy.
He said the facility would provide training in areas such as green hydrogen, solar energy, wind energy, hydropower and climate change-related studies.
According to him, the initiative is particularly important for young people in grassroots communities, providing them with skills that could improve their employment opportunities and participation in the renewable energy sector.
Another major intervention, Mustapha said, is the National Grid Solarisation Programme, which is designed to provide alternative energy solutions to critical public infrastructure.
He explained that the programme targets universities, primary healthcare facilities, hospitals and other institutions requiring reliable and sustainable power supply.
The ECN DG disclosed that more than 100 megawatts of solar and microgrid systems had been deployed across universities and healthcare facilities in different parts of the country.
He said the intervention was part of efforts to provide sustainable alternatives to conventional energy sources and improve access to reliable power for critical institutions.
“We are giving them alternatives. We are solving the problem. We are intervening,” he said.
On questions concerning reports surrounding alleged financial transactions involving the commission, Mustapha said ECN operates within government-approved budgetary, procurement and due-process procedures.
He explained that funds allocated to the commission are appropriated by the National Assembly for specific projects and are subject to established government procedures.
Mustapha also said he had honoured an invitation from investigators, stressing that investigations should be allowed to run their course and that conclusions should be based on established facts rather than unverified reports.
He urged the media and Nigerians to pay greater attention to the commission’s mandate and achievements in advancing the country’s energy transition.
Mustapha assured that ECN would remain focused on developing policies and programmes that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy security and sustainable economic development.
He said the commission would not be distracted from its core mandate but would continue to pursue practical solutions capable of transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape.
News
Cyclists, Athletes, Fitness Communities others Set for 5th Chaingang MTB Festival in Abuja
By Joel Ajayi
Cyclists, professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts are set to converge on Abuja for the 5th edition of the Abuja Chaingang Mountain Bike (MTB) Festival and 10th year anniversary of the the club scheduled for November 21–22, 2026, in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Chairman of the MTB Festival Organising Committee, Mr Olatunji Olanrewaju, said the event would mark a significant milestone in the development of competitive cycling in Nigeria.
Organised by the Chaingang Cycling Club Abuja in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN), the festival will introduce Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) and Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) race courses, alongside the unveiling of the Sunrise Hills MTB Course in Asokoro, bordering Guzape.
The organisers said the new courses feature natural terrain, steep climbs, rocky descents, switchbacks and panoramic ridgelines designed to challenge riders and promote competitive mountain biking.
The festival, adopted as Nigeria’s national qualifier for international mountain biking competitions, will provide cyclists with opportunities to compete for qualification slots for major championships, with prize money available across race categories.
Olanrewaju disclosed that the festival had attracted several cycling teams over the years, including foreign participants in almost every edition, expressing optimism that the 2026 event would attract even greater participation.
He called on sponsors, government agencies, security institutions and multinational organisations to support the festival, noting that their participation would help strengthen Nigeria’s outdoor sports industry and enhance the country’s international sporting profile.
Also speaking, the Technical Director of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Bashiru Mohammed, described the festival as an important platform for developing cycling and strengthening the country’s cycling community.
Mohammed said the competition was open to cyclists and cycling groups across Nigeria and beyond, adding that the organisers would share information about the event with international partners to encourage wider participation.
He explained that the professional races would feature male and female competitors in the XCC and XCO categories, while the programme would also include activities for children.
According to him, the competition would help Nigerian cyclists prepare for next year’s championship for emerging countries, which he likened to an Olympic-style gathering of athletes from different sporting disciplines.
In his remarked, the CFN Secretary-General of the federation, Joel Akinuwa, said prize money remained an important feature of the festival, noting that participants in the previous edition received financial rewards in addition to opportunities to qualify for the African Championships and other major international competitions.
Akinuwa added that winners across the various categories in the 2026 edition would also receive prize money, providing further motivation for cyclists to compete.
Beyond the elite races, the two-day festival will feature a trail run, children’s mountain bike race, veterans’ recreational ride, city-wide fitness ride and hiking campout.
The event will also incorporate corporate social responsibility initiatives, including the Jigakushi School Restoration Project and the Road Safety Street Mural Initiative, aimed at promoting community development and road safety awareness.
The organisers said the festival would bring together professional athletes, recreational cyclists, families, young people, fitness enthusiasts, media organisations and international observers, while promoting tourism, youth development and community engagement.
They added that the long-term vision was to position Abuja and Nigeria as leading mountain biking destinations in Africa, capable of hosting international competitions and attracting athletes from across the continent and beyond.
Registration for the 2026 Abuja Chaingang MTB Festival is ongoing through the club’s website, www.chaingang.ng.
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