ECN DG Applauds Tinubu’s Youth Inclusion, Calls for Skills Development Among Young Nigerians

The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating opportunities for young Nigerians to participate in governance, while urging the country’s youth to position themselves for leadership through education, skills acquisition and self-development.

Speaking on the second day of the Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship (MAELF) 2026 in Abuja, Abdullahi said young people do not need influential connections to succeed, stressing that competence, preparation and confidence remain the greatest assets for anyone seeking to make meaningful contributions to national development.

“You don’t need to know anybody to get yourself where you deserve to be,” he told the fellows, encouraging them to remain focused on building capacity and pursuing excellence.

“There are a lot of opportunities out there for young people. Get yourself skilled, get educated and make sure you are unique. Make sure you are different from others. Be confident in yourself,” he said.

The ECN Director-General noted that young people aspiring to serve in government must prepare themselves by acquiring the right knowledge, skills and character, emphasizing that opportunities favour those who are adequately equipped.

“As a young person in governance, the opportunity is being appropriate,” he said, while thanking President Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to governance and nation-building.

Abdullahi emphasized that Nigeria’s future depends on a new generation of leaders equipped with the knowledge, character and confidence to drive innovation, particularly in the energy sector. He urged the fellows to see themselves as future leaders capable of shaping the country’s development trajectory.

The Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship (MAELF) 2026 is a seven-day residential leadership and capacity-building programme designed to nurture emerging leaders in Nigeria’s energy sector. The fellowship is sponsored by the Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi DAM Foundation in partnership with the APC National Youth Wing, bringing together young Nigerians from across the country for mentorship, policy engagement and professional development.