President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Shu’aibu Aliyu as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), replacing Ahmed Aminu, who recently resigned to pursue the 2027 governorship election in Adamawa State. The president also renewed the appointment of Mr Sule Abdulaziz as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), granting him a second and final term following a satisfactory performance review.
Both appointments take immediate effect, according to a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Thursday in Abuja. The changes reflect the administration’s ongoing effort to reposition key institutions in the petroleum and power sectors, which remain central to Nigeria’s economic stability and growth prospects.
Aliyu, a distinguished academic and seasoned administrator with extensive experience in research, education, and institutional leadership, assumes leadership of the PTDF at a critical moment for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The fund is responsible for developing indigenous human capital and technological capacity in the petroleum sector, a mandate that has become increasingly important as the industry navigates the global energy transition while maintaining production levels to support government revenues.
President Tinubu expects the new PTDF boss to reposition the organisation for greater impact in human capital development, innovation, and strategic support for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The appointment aligns with broader national priorities aimed at enhancing local capacity and driving sustainable growth in the energy sector, including efforts to reduce reliance on foreign expertise and technology.
In the power sector, Abdulaziz’s renewed tenure follows a comprehensive assessment of his leadership of the national transmission network. Under his stewardship, TCN has recorded improvements in grid stability, expansion of transmission capacity, and ongoing system modernisation efforts. The Presidency noted that these achievements have reinforced TCN’s critical role within Nigeria’s electricity value chain.
Abdulaziz, a veteran of over three decades in the power sector, has also contributed to regional electricity integration through Nigeria’s participation in the West African Power Pool. His strategic leadership and collaboration with regional partners have strengthened Nigeria’s role in efforts to create a unified electricity market across West Africa, a long-term objective that could improve energy access and reduce costs across the sub-region.
From an economic perspective, both appointments carry significant implications. The PTDF’s work in developing local talent directly affects the oil industry’s ability to substitute imported expertise with Nigerian personnel, reducing capital flight and building domestic capacity. Similarly, TCN’s performance affects the reliability of electricity supply for households and businesses, influencing industrial productivity, investment decisions, and overall economic competitiveness.
Tinubu urged both appointees to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, integrity, and a strong sense of national service, stating that their roles are critical to advancing the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and improving service delivery in key sectors. The appointments signal the president’s intent to prioritise continuity in institutions where performance has been satisfactory while making changes where strategic redirection is needed.
