By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A former Minister of Power in Nigeria, Mr Saleh Mamman, has been convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja over his connection with a N33.8 billion fraud.

He was found guilty of a 12-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

While delivering his judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho declared that the former government official is guilty of all the charges levied against him by the agency.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024, the EFCC informed the court that the convict, who served under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, conspired with ministry staff to divert about N22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

He was removed from office by the late president in 2021 and arrested by the anti-money laundering organisation four months after. He was said to have used embezzled funds of up to N33.8 billion to acquire properties.

At the court today, the judge confirmed that Mr Mamman made a cash payment of $655,700 (equivalent to N200 million) for landed property in Abuja, without recourse to a financial institution.

He was also found guilty of criminal breach of trust in relation to funds released by the federal government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.

“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant.

“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case,” Justice Omotosho held.

“Rather than creating a legacy to tackle the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary citizens.

“Little wonder that Nigerians have remained in darkness till today,” the judge added.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian industrialist and businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, is planning to foray into electricity generation with a 20,000 megawatt project in the pipeline.

He currently has business interests in cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, and petrochemicals, with his latest project being the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos, which refines about 650,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

Speaking during a conversation with International Finance Corporation (IFC) Managing Director, Mr Makhtar Diop, the businessman said, “We are now going into power… 20,000 megawatts,” adding that Africa’s most pressing needs remain energy, fertilisers, and industrial inputs.

His plan to enter one of Nigeria’s most difficult sectors comes as the nation continues to face chronic power challenges, with generation capped at around 6,000 megawatts to serve a population of around 200 million.

In March, Mr Dangote announced that his empire will be making an entry into a number of fields, including steel production, electricity generation and port development to support large-scale manufacturing and trade.

The businessman said his long-term goal is to deepen the continent’s manufacturing base beyond oil refining and position it as a global industrial force.

“We have to industrialise Africa,” Mr Dangote said, noting that his next focus areas include the steel industry, expanding access to electricity and building additional port infrastructure to support large-scale manufacturing and trade.

The project will need sufficient capital, and recent dialogues with lenders like the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) will give Mr Dangote the needed boost.

Already in its long-term growth strategy, Vision 2030: Supercharging Dangote Group for Long Term Success, the African bank outlined a two‑phase expansion programme spanning 2025–2028 and 2028–2030 that will see it back into new venture interests, including ports, pipelines, data centres, and mining.

To drive the growth over the five years, the Dangote Group predicts that it will require at least $40 billion in new investments to realise its continental ambitions.

“This is the very purpose for which our institution was created. As is deeply rooted in our DNA, we do not only listen—we execute and convert aspiration into action,” Afreximbank President, Mr George Elombi, said in April, backing the group’s ambitions.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Minister of Power designate, Mr Joseph Tegbe, has listed some key priority areas he hopes to achieve within a year if confirmed for the position.

At his screening at the Senate on Wednesday, Mr Tegbe said he intends to improve gas supply to boost generation, strengthen grid reliability, enforce accountability in distribution, accelerate metering, and restore financial discipline in the sector.

He expressed optimism that this key reform agenda would address longstanding challenges in the power sector.

Mr Tegbe stressed the importance of electricity to national development, stating, “Electricity is not just a sector. It is the foundation of productivity, dignity, and national confidence.”

He acknowledged persistent challenges across the power value chain, noting that while there is no “quick fix,” there is a “disciplined path to solving it,” anchored on execution discipline and measurable progress.

“We will replace uncertainty with clarity, inefficiency with discipline, and promises with measurable progress,” he added.

On timelines, Mr Tegbe pledged to begin immediate diagnostics of the issues and robust stakeholder engagement before arriving at a timeline for steady power supply, but indicated that some improvements could be achieved within three months. He added that broader reforms, such as restoring sector credibility, improving gas supply, and accelerating metering, are expected to materialise within the first year.

He also pledged to work closely with the National Assembly and other stakeholders, noting that sustained progress would require a coordinated national effort.

Reinforcing his commitment to delivery, Mr Tegbe assured Nigerians of visible improvements in no distant time, adding: “I will be accountable for progress, responsible in communication, and disciplined in execution.”

The screening concluded with the nomination proceeding to the next stage of confirmation.

At the screening exercise, Senators acknowledged his experience across public sector reform and infrastructure, noting that his cross-sector background positions him to support ongoing efforts to stabilise the sector.