ECN's Abdullahi Empowers 80 Youths with N17m Grants

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, empowered more than 80 young Nigerians through the inaugural Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship (MAELF) 2026. This week-long leadership and capacity-building program, fully sponsored by Abdullahi through the DAM Foundation in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Wing, took place in Abuja.

The fellows participated in six days of lectures, policy dialogues, mentorship sessions, and workshops, concluding with a graduation ceremony. Notable attendees included Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Engr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and Hon Dayo Israel.

The program awarded startup grants totaling over ₦17 million, with individual grants ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million to support innovative ideas and community initiatives. Abdullahi emphasized the importance of integrity, excellence, and service in leadership, urging fellows to become ambassadors of hope and solution providers for Nigeria's energy future.