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The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has hit back at a recent Sahara Reporters story that accused its Managing Director, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, of corruption, reckless spending and failing to add new megawatts to the national grid.
The article, published on November 29, 2025, described her leadership as “zero impact,” citing a petition to the EFCC and the Presidency from supposed staff members.
In a detailed rebuttal yesterday, the Head, Corporate and External Communications, NDPHC, Emmanuel Ojor, dismissed the report as misleading, ill-intended and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the MD’s reputation and mislead Nigerians who hold stakes in the company through federal and state governments.
The company expressed surprise that Sahara Reporters did not contact the Managing Director or NDPHC for clarification before publishing the story. Engr. Adighije, it said, operates an open-door policy and is readily accessible, making the omission a failure of basic journalistic principle. According to NDPHC, the story appears to have been exploited by individuals uncomfortable with the ongoing reforms and decisive leadership being implemented under Adighije.
The allegations, which included claims of mismanagement, reckless spending and “zero megawatts” added to the grid, were described as false and misleading.
NDPHC stressed that the Managing Director’s focus has been on optimizing existing assets, enhancing internal efficiency, recovering monumental debts owed for energy delivered, and leveraging technology to boost workforce productivity. The company argued that the addition of new generation capacity is not an immediate priority due to the significant stranded capacity already available, grid limitations, and hundreds of billions of naira owed to NDPHC for power already generated. The MD’s actions, it added, are fully aligned with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the power sector.
The story also referenced a supposed N900 million budget for a “25-Year Celebration,” which NDPHC dismissed as speculative and unapproved. The company noted that NDPHC was established in 2005, making a 25-year celebration illogical. Instead, the Board, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, had approved a 20-year commemoration to highlight the company’s contributions to national power sector reforms. NDPHC clarified that no expenditure had been approved, and any preparation for the event is still at the planning stage.
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Accusations that Adighije used private jets for official trips were also rejected. NDPHC explained that the MD occasionally uses chartered flights to meet urgent operational and regulatory obligations across Nigeria when commercial airline schedules cannot accommodate time-sensitive tasks. The company noted that she frequently travels by road to installations under challenging conditions, demonstrating hands-on leadership and commitment to stabilizing the company’s operations.
Claims that the MD employed “expensive media consultants” and maintained teams of handlers were dismissed as baseless. NDPHC emphasized that its strategic communication efforts, including board-approved television programs, are aimed at educating Nigerians about the company’s mandate, projects, and contributions to national development. These activities are undertaken transparently and within approved budgets.
The story also accused the Managing Director of manipulating promotion examinations and favoring loyalists. NDPHC rejected this assertion, insisting that promotion exercises are merit-based, transparent, and designed to ensure equity and professionalism. The MD, who joined NDPHC recently, does not maintain factions within the staff, and any perceived dissatisfaction is attributed to employees who had hoped to influence promotions through political means. The company noted that internal grievance mechanisms remain open for staff concerns.
In addition, the report highlighted a N20 million donation to Nollywood actress Sarah Martins, portraying it as financial impropriety. NDPHC clarified that this was a private act of charity, funded by contributions from friends, and not company resources. The gesture was undertaken outside Adighije’s official capacity, reflecting her personal philanthropic activities.
NDPHC highlighted the tangible achievements under Adighije’s leadership, including the recovery of abandoned turbine parts worth over $5 million, restoration of six gas turbines adding approximately 750MW to mechanical availability, recovery of $10 million in legacy debts, and successful completion of several substation and transmission projects across the country. The company has also initiated renewable energy projects, commenced the restoration of dormant plants, facilitated commercial power connections, streamlined procurement processes, introduced computer-based tests for staff promotions, and secured $15 million in insurance claims following plant incidents.
The company appealed to Nigerians, staff, customers, and stakeholders to disregard the Sahara Reporters story and similar publications, calling them products of vested interests threatened by reforms at NDPHC. It urged media organizations to uphold ethical reporting and seek clarification from the company before publication. While committed to transparency and accountability, NDPHC said it will not hesitate to pursue legal action against media platforms that publish demonstrably false allegations without affording a fair hearing.
Engr. Adighije and NDPHC stressed that, despite systemic challenges in the sector, the company has made substantial strides in stabilizing operations, improving governance, and positioning itself for sustainable growth, reaffirming their commitment to Nigeria’s power sector development.
