The nominated Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. Akintunde Ibitayo Akinwande, has said he will honour an invitation by the Nigerian Senate after clearing with his current employer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Steel, Development and Metallurgy, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Prof. Akinwande said he did not turn down the offer by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I am deeply honoured that Mr. President and his team thought me worthy for this important national assignment and sought me out for it. I am a tenured professor of Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.”
“As such I am contractually constrained to seek formally the consent of the university for a leave of absence before presenting myself to the Senate for screening and if confirmed take on the assignment.” Prof. Akinwande said.
He also apologised to the Senate Committee for not showing up for the scheduled screening process, noting that it was not out of disrespect for the institution.
He made it clear that he would be available for the screening after clearance from the MIT.
