Mukhtaar Tijani @40: Ruby jubilee for a young leader

BY SHUAIB KAZEEM

Mukhtaar Tijani is a name that has been ringing with the owner’s competence. He is a young dynamo whose age bellies the efficacy, expertise, and experience that the name commands. He has been trusted and tested and has triumphed across multiple public offices before age 40. The reward for hard work is more challenging work, and Mukhtaar has risen to the occasion regardless of the stakes of demands. He has been in the public sector for only a decade, and his footprints are engraved with achievements from Abuja to Lagos.

Mukhtaar is a Lagos indigene whose ancestry is as deep-rooted in the city’s rich history as that of the Ita-Agarau area he hails from. His deterministic drive is reminiscent of his forebears, who prospered on Lagos Island long before the city sprawled out and the lagoon was conquered with bridges.

He has always been a man of unwavering determination, relentlessly pursuing his ambitions and goals regardless of the strenuousness needed to accomplish them. This can-do spirit is the totem that has held his barrier-shattering zeal for public service throughout his career and life.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Houston in 2008, the astute goal-getter opted to further his education by studying the effective use of Nigeria’s most abundant natural resources. In 2009, he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma to study petroleum engineering. He followed this with further postgraduate certificates in power sector regulation from the Florence School of Regulation in Italy and the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He is also a trained public sector leader from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

He was employed by Schlumberger Oilfield Services, an international mining company. By the age of 28, Mukhtaar rose to senior field engineer – a feat he attained within two years at Schlumberger Oilfield Services. He then moved to Kinley Exploration, another international mining powerhouse, as a senior engineer.

At Kinley, Mukhtaar built drilling and mining equipment from the fabrication stage until the tools were fully utilised at the rig site. One of his most successful jobs was executing a $25 million mining trial for Iluka, an Australian state-owned mining company.

During fieldwork, often in remote areas without access to electricity, Mukhtaar and his crew frequently had to create their power sources on-site. While such challenges might have discouraged others, they instead fueled Mukhtaar’s profound interest in electricity generation.

In 2015, when he was invited to serve as the special assistant on power to former President Muhammadu Buhari, under the office of Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, he saw a unique opportunity to contribute his practical expertise and innovative initiatives to the development of his homeland.

At just 30 years old, Mukhtaar’s advanced technical proficiency set him apart, enabling him to advise senior government officials and propose effective solutions to the persistent challenges within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

Mukhtaar’s journey from Abuja to Lagos started when he ran for the Lagos Island federal house of representatives. The qualities that struck me about Mukhtaar were his humility and willpower to provide solutions to persistent problems.

Although the election did not go the way he intended, the irrepressible Mukhtaar did not let the setback dent his passion for serving and developing his immediate environment and Lagos State.

Shortly after the elections, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, poached Mukhtaar. The governor wanted his expertise in the energy sector to revamp the Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB).

In 2019, Mukhtaar was appointed as the agency’s general manager, where his visionary leadership facilitated the effective utilisation of the Lagos State Electricity Board’s (LSEB) four newly inaugurated power plants — Island, Alausa, Mainland, and Peninsula Power. Under his guidance, a transformative streetlight retrofit project was executed, replacing traditional bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. This initiative not only ensured the development of a smart electricity network but also promoted environmental sustainability and achieved significant energy savings.

Additionally, Mukhtaar spearheaded the commissioning of power projects, including solar streetlights and transformers, across various local governments to enhance electricity access and improve the quality of life for residents throughout the state. Mukhtaar’s exceptional performance at the Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB) did not go unnoticed by his superiors. After four years of remarkable contributions at the board, his youthful brilliance and tenacity were called upon to address the challenges of another agency in need of internal reform.

His appointment to the Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC) underscored his determination and resilience to succeed against all odds. Many friends, colleagues, and associates cautioned him against what they perceived as a career-stifling move, arguing that the LSWC had long been regarded as a stagnant, backwater agency — a place where old, tired administrators quietly saw out their careers.

The corporation was a mould-ridden, decrepit institution, dormant for over a decade and bereft of significant news or progress. Yet, Mukhtaar saw an opportunity to breathe new life into the agency and prove his mettle once again.

The advice was simple: Do not go there, Mukhtaar. Lesser men would cower and decline the appointment once. But not Mukhtaar; the steamer the challenge, the better for him.

I recall Mukhtaar’s first visit to the Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC) headquarters in Ijora. The building was in disrepair, plagued by faulty elevators, unreliable electricity, and worn-out furniture. His first directive, ‘Let there be light,’ marked the beginning of a sweeping series of reforms that would transform LSWC from a dormant entity into one of Lagos State’s most active government agencies.

One of Mukhtaar’s groundbreaking decisions was addressing the agency’s ageing workforce. Upon discovering that the youngest employee was 41 years old, he prioritised recruiting younger engineers and encouraged older employees to transfer their knowledge and skills, fostering a collaborative and dynamic workplace culture.

Sanwo-Olu’s confidence in Mukhtaar’s problem-solving acumen and visionary leadership was well-placed. Just months after assuming his role, LSWC inaugurated the Mosan-Okunola (2MGD) mini waterworks, a project that restored water supply to the Baruwa-Abesan community, ending 25 years of water scarcity and significantly improving the lives of residents.”

He also leveraged his international expertise to facilitate the progress of the five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) grant to the state government aimed at improving water infrastructure through the Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (LUWASH) program. The first phase of this initiative focuses on rehabilitating five mini waterworks located in Badore, Lekki, Victoria Island, Victoria Island Annex, and Ajegunle.

Under Mukhtaar’s leadership, the LSWC has evolved from a neglected agency into one that is now actively discussed on social media and radio, often due to reports of pipe bursts linked to a dramatic increase in water production. A recent example includes the Maryland-Ikorodu Road axis. One of Mukhtaar’s innovative strategies has been leveraging social media as a tool for development. By monitoring reports of pipe leaks and faulty connections online, LSWC has been able to address these issues promptly, ensuring swift repairs and enhanced service delivery.

Mukhtaar’s unwavering dedication and consistency also spearheaded the revival of the long-stalled Adiyan II Waterworks project. Initially scheduled for completion in July 2016, the project faced numerous delays due to stoppages and suspensions and had been abandoned since 2021. Once completed, the facility will have the capacity to deliver 70 million gallons of safe drinking water daily, benefiting over five million Lagosians and significantly improving access to clean water across the state.

During the 1st Lagos Physical Planning Summit held late last year, Sanwo-Olu commended Mukhtaar’s dedication, innovation, and determination in reviving the Adiyan II Waterworks project. The governor acknowledged Mukhtaar’s relentless efforts and consistent advocacy to bring the facility back on track, despite its scale and complexity — a challenge that had caused previous administrations to abandon it. Mukhtaar’s commitment was further highlighted as a direct response to the appeal made by former Governor Babatunde Fashola to prioritise the project.

These transformative efforts are why Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for environment and water resources, remarked during an episode of TVC’s Your View breakfast show that Mukhtaar’s leadership at LSWC has ‘really given new life’ to the state’s plans for drinkable water, given the challenges he encountered upon his appointment.

Mukhtaar has also earned immense popularity among LSWC staff. Since assuming the role of managing director, employees have benefited from enhanced bonuses and improved welfare, a stark contrast to previous administrations.

Despite his five and a half years of relentless work in two of the most vital sectors — energy and water — Mukhtaar remains a model of humility. His colleagues and subordinates frequently attest to his open-door policy and genuine care for their personal and professional well-being. Known for his ability to recall the little details shared with him, Mukhtaar demonstrates that, despite being a scion of affluence and influence, he values and treats everyone with dignity and respect.

Mukhtaar is a grassroots campaigner with an unwavering passion for development. A philanthropist at heart, his charitable initiatives have left a profound impact on Lagosians of all ages. Through the Mukhtaar Foundation’s ‘Back 2 School’ initiative, launched in 2020, he has supported over 5,000 students from underprivileged households by providing essential materials needed for school resumption before each academic session.

His influence extends beyond material support. At least once a month, Mukhtaar visits public schools on Lagos Island, where he engages in mentorship and motivational discussions with students, inspiring them to strive for excellence.

Mukhtaar is an exemplary leader and technocrat with a deep compassion for people and an unyielding determination to deliver results, no matter the obstacles. At just 40, his achievements rival those of individuals with decades more experience, showcasing a career rich with impact and innovation. Yet, his best years are undoubtedly still ahead. As he celebrates his ruby jubilee, Mukhtaar, fondly known as MTT, shines as a rare gem destined to contribute even more to society.

Shuaib Kazeem, a comms specialist and ex-web editor at Plustv Africa, writes from Colchester United Kingdom.