Dr. Umar is a trained System Engineer from the School of Engineering of the University of Warwick, United Kingdom. He acquired his Master of Science (Msc.) degree from the same institution in the field of International Technology Management. After teaching for a while at the University of Warwick, Dr. Umar acquired his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Management with expertise in strategy, policy, organizational design and development at the same institution.
In 2014, Dr. Umar was first recruited as a consultant to serve as the Decision Support Executive to the Managing Director (MD) of Kano Electricity Distribution Company, a position he held for 6 months before the Company offered him a full-time role as Head of Strategy and Corporate Performance to strengthen the management team in developing organizational strategic focus and performance evaluation. As Head of Strategy, he developed the company’s strategic plan in line with BPE’s approved acquisition plan with a designated implementation plan in conformity with grid, distribution, metering and codes.
Dr. Umar served as a consultant for the World Bank Energy and Extractive team working in support of the performance-based loan towards the actualization of the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) in Nigeria. In this role, he interfaced with BPE and other stakeholders and contributed to the development of standards in improving the governance of DisCos in the areas of external accountability and transparency, relationships between boards and management, and procurement procedures for investment within the scope of DisCos Performance Improvement Plans.
Dr. Umar holds several professional development certifications including Finance for Non-finance Directors from the Institute of Directors (UK) and a certificate in Building and Leading Organization from FTTC Nigeria. He is a registered Engineer with COREN and a Member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Member, Institute of Engineering and Technology UK, Member Institute of Civil Engineers UK, Member Institute of Mechanical Engineers UK, Fellow Institute of Management Consultants Nigeria.
Mr. Tajudeen Gwadabe holds a Bsc (Hons.) degree in Accounting from Bayero University, Kano and a Master in Business Administration (MBA). He is a Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Fellow Institute of Chartered Human Resource of Nigeria, Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Chartered Institute of Taxation (ACTI), Chartered Institute of Professional Administrators of Nigeria, Fellow African Institute of Strategic Managers (AISM) and also, member in Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS).
With over two decades experience, Gwadabe has garnered diverse skills across various sectors including; banking, security and exchange, energy and finance in Nigeria.
Prior to joining Kaduna Electric, Tajudeen Gwadabe was the pioneer Internal Auditor and also Head of Finance & Accounts at Kano Electricity Distribution Company. He joined Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company as Head of Finance and Accounts and was subsequently appointed Chief Corporate Services Officer in 2022.
He was recently appointed Chief Finance Officer at Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company.