The decision was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. The presidency said the appointment takes immediate effect.

In the same statement, the President renewed the tenure of Engineer Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz as Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for a second and final term.

Aliyu comes into the role from the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, where he served as Executive Secretary.

The presidency described him as a “distinguished academic and seasoned administrator” with experience across research, education and institutional leadership.

“The President expects him to leverage his wealth of experience to reposition the PTDF for greater impact in human capital development, innovation, and strategic support for the oil and gas sector in line with national priorities,” the statement read.

His appointment points to a goal to strengthen institutions in the petroleum sector, especially around training and capacity building.

For Abdulaziz, the renewal follows what the presidency called a review of his first term in office. It said the transmission company recorded gains in grid stability, expansion of capacity and system upgrades under his leadership.

Officials also linked his work to regional electricity cooperation through the West African Power Pool.

President Tinubu urged both Shu’aibu Aliyu of PTDF and Engineer Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz of TCN to carry out their duties with diligence and integrity, aligning their work with the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Still, Abdulaziz’s reappointment comes with questions. Over the past year, a series of reports alleging procurement breaches during his first term.

The reports noted documents from the Bureau of Public Procurement, which reviewed contracts awarded under emergency procedures.

According to one of the documents, 33 out of 285 contracts did not meet the requirements for emergency procurement under the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

“The Bureau observed that out of the 285 projects executed through the Emergency Procurement Method, 252 projects met the requirements for the adoption of the special method, while 33 projects should have been procured through other methods of procurement as indicated in the Table above.”

The reports also led to concerns about alleged contract splitting and the award of jobs said not to qualify as emergencies. Sources quoted in the reports claimed some contracts were linked to associates, though the company denied wrongdoing when contacted.

Another report alleged that a 2023 Lexus LX 600 SUV, valued at N298.4 million, was procured for the Minister of Power. Documents seen in that report showed payment records and contract details tied to the purchase.

The allegation noted the vehicle was meant to influence decisions on Abdulaziz’s position, a claim not confirmed by the authorities involved.

Despite the controversy, the government has stood by its decision, pointing to performance improvements in the transmission network.

This milestone marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s ongoing digital transformation efforts, with the goal of improving Government-to-Citizen (G2C) interactions and enabling easier access to government services.

The Government Service Portal is a unified digital platform designed to enhance the delivery of public services by providing a seamless, secure, and accessible portal where citizens can interact with multiple government agencies.

Through this portal, citizens can access critical services such as NIN Registration, Immigration Services, healthcare services, and more—with little or no need to visit to physical offices.

Galaxy Backbone, a leading digital infrastructure and services provider for the Nigerian public sector, has played a pivotal role in championing e-government and  in designing and deploying the GSP.

Through its partnership with KOICA, Galaxy Backbone has ensured that the platform leverages the latest technologies, prioritizing user experience, accessibility, and cybersecurity.

KOICA has provided technical expertise, capacity-building support, and funding for the development of the portal, underscoring the shared commitment to Nigeria’s e-government strategy.

Key Highlights of the Government Service Portal:

Accelerating Digital Transformation: The GSP supports the Federal Government’s commitment to digitize public services, enabling more efficient governance and ensuring that all Nigerians, regardless of location, can access essential services.

Improving Government-to-Citizen Engagement: By reducing the need for face-to-face interactions and offering real-time service tracking, the portal fosters a more transparent and responsive government, enhancing citizens’ trust in public institutions.

Secure and Accessible Services: The GSP is designed with robust cybersecurity features, ensuring that citizens’ data remains protected.

It is also mobile-friendly and accessible in multiple languages, making it easy for citizens from all parts of Nigeria to interact with government services online.

KOICA’s Role:

KOICA has provided strategic support, leveraging its expertise in e-governance and technology-driven public service delivery.

KOICA’s involvement ensures that the GSP aligns with international best practices and benefits from the lessons learned in similar successful projects globally.

Engagement Workshop with 12 Pilot Agencies:
The engagement workshop, which took place today, brought together senior officials from 12 pilot government agencies, including FMCIDE, NIMC, SMEDAN, NCC, NIPOST, FRSC, NAFDAC, NYSC, NPF, NIS, BPP and NEPC.

The goal of the workshop was to familiarize these agencies with the GSP’s features, capabilities, and integration process, and to ensure seamless service delivery as the portal goes live.

Speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, who represented the Honourable Minister, highlighted the significance of this project and the need deepened collaboration and deeper citizen engagement. ‘The Government Service Portal has the potential to change lives and I believe that through and efficient and effective collaboration we will achieve a lot for our nation’.  Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanyu, Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, emphasized the significance of this initiative in transforming how government services are delivered to Nigerians. He noted:

“The Government Service Portal is a testament to Nigeria’s dedication to embracing digitalisation for improved governance. Galaxy Backbone is proud to lead this initiative, working alongside KOICA to make public services more efficient, transparent, and accessible to all. With the engagement of these pilot agencies, we are taking a major step toward a fully digitized public service ecosystem that will benefit every Nigerian citizen.”

From KOICA’s side, the Country Director, Mr. Sunjil SON, expressed the agency’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s journey toward an inclusive digital economy, stating:

“KOICA is delighted to partner with Galaxy Backbone and the Government of Nigeria in delivering a platform that will change how citizens interact with their government. This initiative aligns with our broader mission of promoting sustainable development through technology and innovation.”

Looking Ahead:

According to the statement signed by Mr. Chidi Okpala, head, Media & Corporate Communications at GBB, the successful integration of the 12 pilot agencies is a precursor to a broader rollout of the GSP across all government ministries, departments, and agencies.

This initiative will serve as the backbone of Nigeria’s e-government strategy, reducing delays, improving transparency, and empowering citizens to engage more effectively with their government.