Prof Barth Nnaji To Deliver The Bullion Lecture

Former minister of power and energy expert, Professor Barth Nnaji, is to deliver the 2025 edition of The Bullion Lecture.

The lecture’s theme is “Architecting the Energy Sector for Nigeria’s $1-Trillion Economy Vision.” It is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Nnaji, a recipient of three national honours: Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), and Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM), is the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Geometric Power Limited (the pioneer private power company in Nigeria).

Nnaji, who was appointed as a member of the National Energy Council in 2009, also served as the special adviser to the president on power (2010 -2011), chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power (June 2010-July 2011), and minister of power (2011 -2012). He led the implementation of the power sector privatisation and the unbundling of NEPA while serving as Minister of Power from July 2011 until his resignation in August 2012.

A professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, USA (1983-1996), Nnaji was also William Kepler Whiteford Professor of Engineering and ALCOA Foundation Professor of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, USA (1996-2007). He was a Baker Distinguished Research Awardee (the Highest research award given by the International Institute of Industrial Engineers). In October 1998, he received the Distinguished Scientist Award from the World Bank/International Monetary Fund Africa Group.

The Bullion Lecture, a platform conceptualised by the Centre for Financial Journalism for lively discussion on national and international issues, is always delivered by first-rate academics and professionals.

According to a press statement in Lagos by Dr Ray Echebiri, Founder/CEO of Centre for Financial Journalism, organisers of The Bullion Lecture, the 2025 edition of the lecture (the 9th in the series) will be graced by Chief Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, as the special guest of honour.

The lecture will be chaired by Tolulope Longe, national president of Women in Energy Oil and Gas (WEOG). The group managing director of Aiteo E&P, Sir Victor Okoronkwo, and CEO of ThinkBusiness Africa/Convener of Africa Business Convention, Dr Ogho Okiti, will be on hand as panellists to dissect the guest lecturer’s presentation.

Expected guests at the lecture include government officials, captains of industry, banking and finance executives, maritime executives, lawyers, ICT professionals, energy sector executives, members of the academic community, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of multilateral institutions, media practitioners, and members of the public.