By David Stephen.
Nigerian Power Minister and praised reformist in the power sector, Professor Barth Nnaji has resigned. He resigned yesterday, after a brief meeting with the president. His resignation is coming at a time when power cuts around the country are reportedly minimized and privatization moves are getting ahead.
There have been reports of improved power supply at several places and more households now have access to pre-paid meters. Prof. Nnaji has been hailed for his reforms but irked the staff of the Power Holding of Nigeria Plc, in the process. They protested severally at his moves, and asked the president to sack him. Professor Nnaji holds a Doctorate in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the United States.
He was the Chairman and CEO of Geometric Power Limited, a US$250 million, 140 MW, integrated generation and distribution power plant. He was Nigeria’s Minister for Science and Technology in 1993. He — with a partner — built and managed a successful 15MW emergency power station in Abuja in 2000. He was appointed in 2010, by President Goodluck Jonathan, as a Special Adviser on Power, and was later on promoted, becoming the Minister for Power. His resignation is coming amidst ongoing projects in the power sector, and we hope that his successor continues and improves on his achievements.
