Professor Shu'aibu Shehu Aliyu has been appointed Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The appointment takes immediate effect, according to a statement from the presidency. Aliyu, a professor of petroleum engineering, replaces Dr. Bello Aliyu Gusau, whose tenure ended earlier this year. The Petroleum Technology Development Fund is tasked with developing human capacity and technology in Nigeria's oil and gas sector.
\nIn a related decision, President Tinubu has renewed the tenure of Engr. Mohammed Sunday Makarfi as Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Makarfi's new term begins June 1, 2024, and runs for another five years. He was first appointed to the role in 2019. The TCN is responsible for managing Nigeria's national electricity transmission network. The presidency described the reappointment as part of ongoing efforts to stabilise the country's power sector.
\nAppointing a petroleum engineering professor to lead PTDF signals a shift toward technical expertise over political patronage. With Aliyu now at the helm, the fund's focus may pivot to measurable training outcomes and industry partnerships. Makarfi's five-year renewal suggests the government backs continuity in TCN despite persistent power challenges. Whether this translates to fewer outages remains to be seen.
