AEDC Effects Leadership Changes, Appoints Chijoke Okwuokenye As Managing Director/CEO,

…Also Jerome as Chief Operating Officer

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has appointed Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye as the acting Managing Director with immediate effect.

This appointment, which is part of the transformation agenda of the company, will see Engr. Okwuokenye drive the positioning of AEDC as the foremost, customer-focused electricity distribution company in the Nigerian power sector, said a statement by the Company’s Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Adefisayo Akinsanya.

OPTIMUM TIMES reports that there have been frequent changes of the AEDC since acquisition of 60 percent stake of AEDC by the Transcorp-led Consortium in 2023 for one reason or the other. Before the latest appointment, AEDC Acting MD/CEO was Victor Ojelabi, and his sudden removal from office may not be unconnected with last week ugly incident of sealing up the Corporate headquarters in Abuja by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over backlog of tax indebtedness even while FIRS is also owing collosal electricity bills. Before Ojelabi’s brief tenure, Christopher Ezeafulukwe also acted briefly as AEDC CEO in 2023.

Prior to the appointment of Engr. Okwuokenye, he served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer, where he oversaw strategic support units and embedded generation projects of the company.

He brings to the role a wealth of experience and expertise in the power sector, as well as a passion for the attainment of the vision for the Nigerian electricity supply industry.

Speaking on the appointment, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Stanley I. Lawson, said, “Chijioke Okwuokenye is an experienced leader who has been a part of the company’s transformation agenda and is well suited to drive its corporate turnaround. I am confident that, with his technical and commercial background, he will continue to drive value for all AEDC stakeholders”.

The company also announced the appointment of Olumide Jerome as the Chief Operating Officer. Prior to this, he served as one of the company’s Chief Business Officers. He will drive efficiency and operational excellence across the company as part of his new responsibilities.

Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) is an electricity distribution company in Nigeria, committed to delivering dependable electricity to millions across the nation’s key commercial centres – Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa states.

In May 2023, a Transcorp-led consortium, became the core investor in AEDC, following its 60% acquisition of the company’s shares.

Since this strategic acquisition, the company has intensified efforts to upgrade substations, expand distribution networks, and integrate cutting-edge technologies, to enhance power supply reliability and operational efficiency.