…Folake Soetan, Jennifer Adighue, Soneye, Andy Odeh, OandO among top honourees
Oredola Adeola
Biodun Oyebanji, Governor of Ekiti State; Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power; Engr. Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited; and Mrs. Elohor Aiboni, the immediate past and first female Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), were among top energy stakeholders honoured at the second edition of the energyTIMES’ Award.
The event, held in Lagos on Friday, April 11, 2025, celebrated outstanding individuals and institutions driving excellence and innovation across Nigeria’s energy sector.
Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, received the prestigious Energy Icon of the Year award for his impactful leadership in delivering sustainable energy solutions across Nigeria and Africa.
Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, CEO of First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (First E&P), was named Industry Personality of the Year for his significant contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas sub-sector.
His recent appointment as Nigeria’s Governor to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and his subsequent emergence as Chairman of the OPEC Board of Governors for 2025, were highlighted.
Engr. Jennifer Adighije, Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), received the Young Achiever of the Year award for successfully restoring two previously offline turbine units, thereby adding 230MW to Nigeria’s power generation capacity.
NIPCO Gas Limited was honoured with the Award for Pioneering Nigeria’s Gas Revolution, in recognition of its leading role in the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to support cleaner energy for automobiles and industries.
Chief Chamberlain Oyibo was named Doyen of Nigeria’s Oil Industry for his long-standing influence and contributions to the sector.
Engr. Mele Kyari clinched the Man of the Year award for his significant achievements during his tenure as GCEO of NNPC Ltd, notably the revival of the 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) Warri Refinery, the 60,000 bpd Port Harcourt Refinery, among other milestones.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State was named Energy Governor of the Year for his proactive efforts in improving power infrastructure, including granting operational licences to 14 electricity investors to enhance power generation, transmission, and distribution in the state.
Comrade Festus Osifo, President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), was honoured as Labour Leader of the Year for his pivotal role in advocating for the N70,000 minimum wage approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote received the Achiever of the Year award for his unwavering commitment to the establishment and operationalization of the 650,000 bpd Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant in Lekki, Lagos.
Dr. Daere Akobo, Chairman of PANA Holdings, emerged as Visionary CEO of the Year for his strategic foresight in steering his company’s remarkable growth.
Ikeja Electric was awarded DisCo of the Year for its strong infrastructure development and customer-centric initiatives, including the installation of nearly one million prepaid meters in 2024—an achievement unmatched by other distribution companies.
Olu Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, received an *Award of Excellence* for fostering transparent engagement with energy journalists and enhancing the company’s brand visibility and stakeholder relations.
Folake Soetan, CEO of Ikeja Electric, was honoured as Amazon of the Nigerian Power Sector for her exemplary leadership in transforming the utility company.
Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, Acting Managing Director of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), was named Power Sector CEO of the Year for her exceptional performance since assuming office in 2024.
Under her leadership, EKEDC’s revenue collection surged to N36.69 billion from N16.82 billion, while the Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses dropped from 17.01% to 10.51%.
Andy Odeh, former General Manager, External Relations and Regulatory Compliance at Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), was also presented with an Award of Excellence for several notable achievements, including successfully leading NLNG’s rebranding initiative, which featured a new logo, payoff line, and purpose statement.
Alhaji Yakubu Lawal,Alhaji Yakubu Lawal, Editorial Board Chairman of EnergyTimes, has stated that the publication’s annual award ceremony is dedicated to celebrating individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria’s energy sector.
Alhaji Lawal further emphasized that EnergyTimes maintains strong editorial integrity, which is focused on addressing key issues within the energy industry.
He added that the platform continues to leverage the power of the media to influence and shape government policies that support sustainable growth across the sector.
