...Describes ETF As Game-changer for Technological Advancement in Enugu State..
Renowned engineer and energy expert, Prof. Barth Nnaji, has endorsed the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF) 2025, describing it as a game-changer for technological advancement in Enugu State and beyond. The former Minister of Power and Chairman of Geometric Power Limited will also be one of the keynote speakers at the highly anticipated event scheduled for May 7-9, 2025.
Prof. Nnaji, a globally recognized authority in engineering and innovation, praised the festival’s theme, "Coal to Code: Envisioning Enugu as West Africa’s Silicon Valley," emphasizing its relevance in positioning the state as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship.
As a distinguished academic and industry leader, Prof. Nnaji's participation is expected to inspire young innovators and investors. His experience in power sector reforms, artificial intelligence, and industrial engineering will provide valuable insights into how technology can drive sustainable development in Enugu and Nigeria.
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| Prof. Barth O. Nnaji |
ABOUT PROF. BARTH NNAJI
Prof. Bart O. Nnaji, FAS, FAEng, OON, CON, NNOM, is a globally renowned engineer, technologist, and energy expert with an outstanding career in academia, industry, and public service. He is the Founder and Chairman of Geometric Power Limited, Nigeria’s first private power company, and has played a pivotal role in the country’s power sector reforms.
ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Prof. Nnaji is a distinguished academic who has held prestigious positions in top universities in the United States. He served as William Kepler Whiteford Professor of Engineering and Alcoa Foundation Professor of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh (1996-2007) and was a Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Massachusetts (1983-1996). He was also the Founding Director of the United States National Science Foundation Center for e-Design, further cementing his contributions to engineering and innovation.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO NIGERIA'S POWER SECTOR
Prof. Nnaji has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector. He served as:
Federal Minister of Science and Technology (1993)
Special Adviser to the President on Power (2010-2011)
Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power (2010-2011)
Federal Minister of Power (2011-2012)
During his tenure, he spearheaded Nigeria’s Power Sector Reform Roadmap, leading to the privatization of the defunct PHCN (Power Holding Company of Nigeria) and the transformation of the country’s electricity sector.
HONORS & RECOGNITIONS
Prof. Nnaji’s contributions have earned him multiple national and international recognitions, including:
Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)
Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM)
U.S. Secretary of State's Distinguished Public Service Award (1995)
Baker Distinguished Research Award (2001)
West African Power Industries Lifetime Achievement Award (2014)
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and the Nigerian Academy of Engineering and holds Honorary Doctorates in Engineering, Science, and Technology from six universities.
CURRENT ENGAGEMENTS
Prof. Nnaji is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of Bells University of Technology and the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Science (sponsored by NLNG). He continues to drive innovation in Nigeria’s energy sector through Geometric Power Limited, which is leading efforts to provide sustainable electricity solutions in the country.
A visionary leader and a passionate advocate for technological advancement, Prof. Barth Nnaji remains an inspiration to engineers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers striving to build a more innovative and energy-secure Nigeria.
