President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, governors, traditional rulers, business leaders and other eminent Nigerians on Friday paid glowing tributes to renowned engineer and Chairman of Geometric Power Group, Professor Barth Nnaji, as he marked his 70th birthday with a grand symposium in Enugu.
The event, held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, brought together distinguished personalities from across the country to celebrate the life and accomplishments of one of Nigeria’s foremost engineers and innovators. The symposium, themed “Powering Tomorrow: 70 Years of Engineering the Common Good,” highlighted Professor Nnaji’s decades of contributions to engineering, power sector reforms, education, public service and national development.
Among the notable personalities in attendance were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the event; Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State; Governor Alex Otti of Abia State; the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Khalifa Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II; as well as captains of industry, academics, development experts and members of the diplomatic community.
President Tinubu, in a goodwill message issued through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, congratulated Professor Nnaji on attaining the milestone age of 70, describing him as an exceptional innovator, administrator and patriot whose contributions have significantly advanced Nigeria’s electricity sector.
According to the President, Nnaji distinguished himself during his tenure as Minister of Power by demonstrating integrity, brilliance and discipline while laying the foundation for critical reforms in the industry.
Tinubu particularly praised the former minister for pioneering the Aba Integrated Power Project, describing it as Nigeria’s first fully vertically integrated electricity utility and a landmark achievement that has continued to serve as a model for sustainable power generation and distribution in the country.
The President noted that despite numerous challenges confronting the power sector, Professor Nnaji remained steadfast in pursuing solutions capable of improving electricity supply and stimulating industrial growth.
He wished the celebrated engineer continued good health, wisdom and greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who presided over the symposium, described Professor Nnaji as an embodiment of excellence, innovation and purposeful leadership.
Obasanjo said the gathering was not merely a birthday celebration but an opportunity to honour a Nigerian whose life exemplifies hard work, dedication and outstanding service to humanity.
He stated that Nnaji’s achievements had become a source of inspiration to younger generations and demonstrated what could be accomplished through discipline, vision and perseverance.
According to Obasanjo, the celebrant’s life should serve as a model for aspiring professionals and public servants who seek to make meaningful contributions to national development.
“Today, we are here to celebrate success. Today, we are here to celebrate excellence. Today, we are here to celebrate achievements. We are celebrating an exemplary life that can be shown to others as a path worth following,” the former president said.
He prayed for God’s continued blessings upon Professor Nnaji and expressed confidence that greater accomplishments still lay ahead for him.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, whose goodwill message was delivered during the event, also commended the celebrant for transforming Nigeria’s electricity landscape through innovative private sector investments.
Shettima described the Aba Power Plant as one of the country’s most successful indigenous electricity projects, noting that it had demonstrated the viability of a fully integrated electricity model where power is generated, distributed, metered and paid for efficiently.
According to the Vice President, the project provides an effective blueprint for addressing Nigeria’s long-standing electricity challenges, including inadequate revenue collection, poor service delivery and underinvestment.
He noted that the Geometric Power model offers practical lessons for both policymakers and investors seeking lasting solutions to Nigeria’s energy crisis.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Energy Security and Economic Growth,” the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, stressed that reliable energy remains fundamental to national development.
Sanusi argued that no nation could achieve sustained economic growth without adequate electricity supply, describing energy security as the uninterrupted availability of affordable and reliable energy.
He explained that countries with stable electricity systems enjoy stronger industrialisation, increased productivity, job creation and higher living standards.
Using Geometric Power as an example, Sanusi pointed to the visible transformation taking place in Aba and parts of Abia State following improvements in electricity supply.
He described Professor Nnaji as one of Nigeria’s finest engineers whose achievements have earned global recognition from multinational corporations and international financial institutions.
Unlike many academics who remain confined to theoretical work, Sanusi said Nnaji had consistently translated knowledge into practical solutions that directly improve people’s lives.
“If you want to see the impact of electricity on an economy, just look at Geometric Power and the transformation taking place in Abia State,” the Emir remarked.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State also paid tribute to the celebrant, describing his accomplishments as the product of discipline, resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence.
He noted that Professor Nnaji pioneered indigenous power development in Nigeria through the establishment of Geometric Power and had consistently invested in both infrastructure and human capital.
According to the governor, beyond engineering, the former minister has devoted considerable effort to mentoring young engineers, supporting educational advancement and creating opportunities for future generations.
Mbah praised Nnaji’s humility despite his remarkable achievements, stating that his life demonstrates how talent can be effectively combined with service to humanity.
“Professor, your life has shown us what becomes possible when talent is matched by purpose and ambition is balanced by service. You have demonstrated that excellence and humility can coexist, and that global accomplishments should strengthen local commitments,” the governor said.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State similarly acknowledged the immense contributions of Geometric Power to the state’s economic development.
He disclosed that the success of the electricity project inspired his administration to introduce electric buses into Aba’s transportation system.
According to Otti, the confidence to invest in electric transportation was made possible by the availability of more reliable electricity through Geometric Power.
“It is Geometric Power that gave us the courage to launch our first fleet of electric buses,” he said.
The governor urged Nigerians, particularly young professionals, to emulate Professor Nnaji’s determination, resilience and unwavering belief in achieving seemingly impossible goals.
Also speaking at the symposium, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited, Mr. Adeleye Falade, represented by the company’s General Manager for External Relations, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, described Nnaji as an outstanding scientist, visionary leader and respected professional.
She said the celebrant’s impact extends beyond engineering into national economic development, innovation and technological advancement.
According to her, Professor Nnaji’s remarkable career continues to inspire professionals across multiple sectors and has reinforced Nigeria’s reputation as a source of globally competitive engineering talent.
The symposium also featured a special Presidential Fireside Chat with former President Obasanjo, moderated by Chairman of THISDAY Editorial Board, Dr. Segun Adeniyi. During the interactive session, Obasanjo reflected on leadership, governance, national development and the importance of visionary individuals in nation-building.
Another major highlight of the event was the presentation and review of a commemorative book titled “Nnaji: The Challenge of the Future,” authored in honour of the celebrated engineer. The review was delivered by internationally acclaimed novelist and Professor of Literature, Okey Ndibe, who examined Professor Nnaji’s remarkable journey from academia to global engineering excellence and public service.
Throughout the celebration, speakers unanimously agreed that Professor Barth Nnaji’s legacy extends beyond engineering achievements. They described him as a visionary whose work has significantly shaped Nigeria’s power sector while inspiring innovation, entrepreneurship, education and public service.
As Professor Nnaji marked his 70th birthday, tributes continued to pour in from across Nigeria and beyond, with many describing him as one of Africa’s most influential engineers and a symbol of excellence whose contributions will continue to benefit generations to come.
