By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, Dec. 16, 2025
In a decisive move to modernize its operations and data management, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has launched a targeted capacity-building initiative for its staff. This program underscores a critical strategic shift: recognizing that digital transformation is not merely about procuring new technology, but fundamentally about empowering the people who will use it.
Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha, the Director-General of the ECN, framed the training as an essential step to align the Commission with global best practices and fulfill its core mandate. “As the government’s central body for energy policy information, our effectiveness hinges on our ability to gather, process, and disseminate data rapidly and accurately,” Mustapha stated at the opening of the three-day program in Abuja. “This requires a parallel investment in both our technological platforms and our human capital.”
Beyond Hardware: The Pillars of Sustainable Digital Transformation
Dr. Mustapha outlined a comprehensive vision that moves beyond simple digitization. He identified several interconnected pillars necessary for genuine transformation:
- Advanced ICT Infrastructure: The establishment of robust platforms, including modern websites, data portals, secure Local Area Networks (LAN), and high-speed internet connectivity.
- Continuous Upgradation: Acknowledging that technology is perpetually evolving, he stressed the need for frequent updates to both software and hardware to avoid obsolescence.
- Skilled Manpower: The most crucial element—training staff to not only use new systems but to understand and leverage them for strategic advantage.
This initiative is positioned within the broader context of the Federal Government’s e-Government project, spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The goal is to create a seamless, digitally literate public service ecosystem where MDAs can share information and deliver services with greater efficiency and transparency.
Creating “IT Champions” for Cultural Change
A key insight from the program is its focus on creating internal change agents. The training wasn’t limited to the ICT department alone. “We are building the capacity of our ICT staff and selected staff from other departments to equip them as ‘IT Champions,'” Dr. Mustapha explained. This approach is a recognized best practice in change management, ensuring that digital skills are embedded throughout the organization. These champions will return to their departments to troubleshoot, advocate for new processes, and foster a culture of digital fluency, thereby accelerating adoption and reducing resistance to change.
Mr. Stephen Adedayo, the Commission’s Director of ICT (represented by Felix Olu), elaborated on the operational specifics. He highlighted the direct link between a functional, dynamic website and the ECN’s mandate to inform the public and stakeholders about the energy sector. “The importance of efficient information dissemination in modern times underscores the need for a website capable of providing real-time updates,” Adedayo noted.
He also provided a crucial reality check on sustainability, identifying non-negotiable enablers often overlooked in tech rollouts: stable power supply, consistent internet access, and effective administrative support. This holistic view acknowledges that the most advanced software is useless without electricity to run it or a team trained to maintain it.
A Practical Demonstration of Progress
The capacity-building program culminated in a tangible demonstration of progress: the unveiling of new information processing technologies and a live demonstration of the ECN’s upgraded website. This practical element served to solidify the training, showing participants the direct application of their new skills and the improved tools at their disposal.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Mustapha encouraged participants to actively engage, share experiences, and forge collaborative partnerships. The success of this digital transformation, he implied, will be measured not by the technology purchased, but by the enhanced efficiency in service delivery, the quality of information disseminated to guide Nigeria’s energy policy, and the Commission’s strengthened ability to meet its national and global obligations.
Edited by Chidi Opara
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
