Prof. Barth Nnaji to deliver 2025 Bullion Lecture on Nigeria’s $1trn energy vision

Globally acclaimed energy expert, Professor Barth Nnaji, has been announced as the Guest Lecturer for the 2025 edition of The Bullion Lecture, an annual discourse organized by the Centre for Financial Journalism.

The highly anticipated event, themed “Architecting the Energy Sector for Nigeria’s $1-Trillion Economy Vision,” is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Prof. Nnaji, an eminent engineer, energy strategist, and entrepreneur, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Geometric Power Limited, Nigeria’s pioneering private power company.

His distinguished career has earned him three national honors: Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), and the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM).

As a seasoned technocrat, Nnaji has made indelible contributions to Nigeria’s power sector. Appointed to the National Energy Council in 2009, he subsequently served as 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).

His tenure as Minister was marked by the successful privatization and unbundling of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), a critical milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector reform.

Beyond Nigeria, Prof. Nnaji has made significant academic and research contributions.

He was a Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, USA (1983-1996) and later held prestigious positions as the William Kepler Whiteford Professor of Engineering and ALCOA Foundation Professor of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh (1996-2007).

His exceptional work in industrial engineering earned him the Baker Distinguished Research Award—the highest research honor conferred by the International Institute of Industrial Engineers. Additionally, in 1998, he was recognized with the Distinguished Scientist Award by the World Bank/International Monetary Fund Africa Group.

The Bullion Lecture, a prestigious platform conceptualized by the Centre for Financial Journalism, fosters robust discussions on national and global issues. Since its inception, the lecture series has been graced by top-tier academics, industry leaders, and policy makers.

According to a press statement released in Lagos by Dr. Ray Echebiri, Founder and CEO of the Centre for Financial Journalism, the 2025 edition, marking the 9th installment of the lecture series, will feature distinguished personalities. Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, will attend as the Special Guest of Honour.

The event will be chaired by Tolulope Longe, National President of Women in Energy Oil and Gas (WEOG). Adding further depth to the discussion, Sir Victor Okoronkwo, Group Managing Director of Aiteo E&P, and Dr. Ogho Okiti, CEO of ThinkBusiness Africa and Convener of the Africa Business Convention, will participate as panelists to dissect Prof. Nnaji’s presentation

The lecture is expected to draw a distinguished audience, including government officials, industry captains, banking and finance executives, maritime professionals, legal experts, ICT specialists, energy sector stakeholders, members of academia, diplomats, representatives of multilateral institutions, media practitioners, and the general public.

With Nigeria striving towards a $1-trillion economy, the 2025 Bullion Lecture will offer critical insights into how the country’s energy sector can be strategically positioned to drive sustainable economic transformation.