By Mahdi Waziri Isa
A renowned expert of Electrical Power and Energy Systems in Nigeria, Professor Abdullahi Abdullahi Mati, has been appointed by the authorities of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as the 8th substantive director of the Institution’s Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT).
Professor Mati is expected to take over from a world-renowned Nuclear Physicist, Professor Sunday A. Jonah, who has successfully served out his four-year Impactful tenure recently.
With the appointment of Professor Mati as a substantive director, Professor Jonah, according to a letter addressed to him by the University’s Vice-chancellor, is expected to hand over the centre’s mantle of leadership to Professor Mati on 23rd January, 2026.
According to Professor Mati’s letter of appointment dated 24th, December, 2025, the appointment is effective from 23rd January, 2026, and it is for an initial period of two (2) years, subject to renewal based on satisfactory performance.
The letter further partly read, “This appointment entails your recall from your current appointment on secondment as Director, Nuclear Power Plant Development Programme at the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), in order to enable you assume full responsibility for the leadership and repositioning of the Centre.”
“Your appointment is in recognition of your extensive experience and distinguished record of service, including your previous role as Pioneer Director, Centre for Renewable Energy Research, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, your earlier service as Reactor Manager at CERT, as well as your strong professional profile evidenced by specialized certifications and training from reputable national and international institutions, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), GIZ/USAID/EU programmes, and the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), among others,” the letter added.
The letter concluded by urging Professor Mati to “to maintain strong institutional alignment and compliance with national and international atomic energy regulatory and oversight agencies, and to strengthen collaboration with relevant bodies, including but not limited to regulatory authorities, research institutions, and development partners, in order to uphold the Centre’s mandate.”
Professor Mati was born on 15th June 1966, in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State. He bagged his B.Eng in Electrical Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1989. He later proceeded to Bayero University, Kano for his masters degree, where he earned his M.Eng. in Electrical Engineering in 1998. In 2010, Professor Mati bagged his Ph.D in Electrical Engineering (Energy Modelling) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Professor Mati held several administrative positions from 1990 till date, equipping him with diverse administrative experience. He served as the Instrument Engineer at Delta Steel Company, Aladja – Delta State from 1990-1991; Aeronautical Electronic and Telecom Instructor at Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria from 1991-1994; Research Fellow, Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1994-2004; Head, Engineering and Instrumentation Design section at Centre for Energy Research and Training from 2004-2010; and Reactor Manager at Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 2013-2014.
Professor Mati was Seconded to Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina as Director, Centre for Renewable Energy Research served as the pioneer Director of the Centre and succeeded in establishing competency certification training programs under the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) sponsored by the European Union (EU) through the German International Cooperation (GIZ), from 2015-2020.
He served as Research Professor at Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 2020-2022, and was later Seconded from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria to Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Abuja as Director, Nuclear Power Plant Development Programme: responsible for developing integrated nuclear infrastructure and project management plan for the construction and operation of first nuclear power plant for electricity generation in Nigeria, from 2022 – 2026.
Other positions held by Professor Mati include: Chairman, Committee for Electricity Billing for A.B.U. from 2012 – 2014; Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (CDD), Umaru Musa Yar’adua University from 2016 – 2020 and Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission from 2023 – 2026.
Professor Mati earned several research grants including €3.5 million: EU grant from the 10th European Union Development Fund (EDF) under the Energizing Access to Sustainable Energy (EASE) project. The grant project was coordinated from Umaru Musa Yar’adua University and implemented across 5 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Katsina State in collaboration of 3 Government parastatals of Katsina State in 2015 and $25,000.00: German International Cooperation/Winrock/USAID grant for establishing Solar PV and Mini-grid competency certification trainings in 2016.
He also earned $44,000.00: IFC/World Bank funds for competency training on solar Mini-grid at Ibrahim Shehu Shema Centre for Renewable Energy Research, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina in 2018 and $15,000.00: Coordinated Research Project (CRP) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Assessment of risks associated with Climate Change hazards on the Safety of Nigeria’s River-Side NPP site in 2024.
Professor Mati belongs to several professional bodies including Nigerian Society of Engineers (No. 11,302) from 2001 to Date; COREN (No. 13264) from 2008 to Date and Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), USA. 2007 to Date.
Professional services carried out by Professor Mati include Member, NNRA National Committee for the Formulation of Guidelines for the licensing of Research Reactors and Research Reactor Operators from 2006 – 2007 and National Project Coordinator, IAEA/AFRA Project (RAF/0/041) on Maintenance of Nuclear Instruments – Medical Component from 2012 – 2016.
From 2023 – 2025, he served as National Project Coordinator, IAEA/AFRA Project (RAF/4/021) on Sustaining Regional Capability for Maintenance and Repair – Medical Component 2016-2020 and National Project Coordinator, IAEA/AFRA Project (RAF/2/013) on Developing, Expanding and Reinforcing Energy Planning Capabilities.
He was also a National Counterpart, IAEA project INT2024 on Supporting Member States Introducing or Expanding Nuclear Power Programmes to Develop a National Infrastructure for a Safe, Secure and Peaceful Nuclear Power Programme from 2022 – 2026; and National Counterpart, IAEA project NIR2010 & NIR2011 on Expanding and Strengthening National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power Construction, commissioning, operations from 2022-2026.
Professor Mati has 27 publications In Peer Review Journals and official proceedings, 8 published Books/Guide/Manuals and 45 published Conference/Seminar Papers.
He is happily married with children.