Alfred Dapal Damiyal (ADD) is a seasoned energy executive, entrepreneur, and reform-driven political leader with more than 27 years’ experience delivering results in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. His career demonstrates a consistent pattern of leadership, technical competence, and strategic decision-making in complex environments.
With this depth of experience, he brings a practical understanding of governance, resource management, and institutional coordination qualities increasingly seen as essential for addressing Plateau State’s evolving challenges.
ROOTED IN HERITAGE AND GUIDED BY VALUES
Born on September 10, 1971, in Mangun, Plateau State, ADD comes from the respected family of His Royal Highness, Da Ali Dapal Damiyal, the late Mishkaham Mwaghavul. His upbringing was shaped by strong values of discipline, integrity, and service principles that continue to define his approach to leadership and public life.
A committed Christian and member of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), he is married to Mrs Patricia Dapal, and they have four children. His personal life reflects stability and a strong sense of responsibility, which he extends into his professional and public engagements.
STRONG ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATION
ADD’s academic journey demonstrates a strong foundation in science and technical expertise. He began his early education at Baptist Primary School in Mangu and later attended Gindiri Boys Secondary School, where he obtained his Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE). He holds a B.Sc. in Geology and Mining from the University of Jos, as well as an M.Sc. and a PhD (in view) in Sedimentology from the University of Calabar.
In addition to his formal education, he has undertaken specialised training in petroleum exploration, production, and management in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Italy. This combination of academic depth and international exposure has shaped his analytical approach to problem-solving and policy thinking.
A CAREER DEFINED BY RESPONSIBILITY AND RESULTS
Throughout his career, ADD has held senior roles in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, managing high-value operations within joint-venture frameworks and complex regulatory environments. His experience includes overseeing multi-billion-dollar projects, ensuring compliance, and driving efficiency in demanding environments.
Colleagues and industry observers often note his ability to balance technical precision with strategic oversight, which translates well into governance and public administration.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION
Beyond his corporate career, ADD has demonstrated a strong commitment to enterprise development. As Chairman of the Restim Group, he leads a diversified portfolio spanning transportation, manufacturing, and mechanised agriculture.
These ventures have created employment for over 100 Nigerians from diverse backgrounds, contributing to livelihoods and local economic activity. His involvement in agriculture and small-scale industry reflects a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities in Plateau’s economy.
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SOCIAL IMPACT
ADD’s engagement extends beyond business and professional life into community service. Through the Tabitha Grateful Heart Foundation, he has supported initiatives to assist vulnerable populations, promote empowerment, and encourage inclusive development.
This aspect of his work highlights a broader commitment to social responsibility and the belief that leadership should translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
NOT A NEW ENTRANT: A CONSISTENT PARTICIPANT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
ADD is not a new entrant in Plateau politics. He actively participated in the 2022 governorship primaries under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), demonstrating both his interest in public service and his willingness to engage through established democratic processes.
His continued involvement reflects persistence, experience, and a growing familiarity with the political landscape. It also signals a long-term commitment rather than a one-time ambition.
A CLEAR AND PRACTICAL VISION FOR PLATEAU
As a governorship aspirant for 2027, ADD presents a reform-oriented agenda anchored in his guiding philosophy of NEW THINKING, a call for more deliberate, proactive, and people-centred governance.
His vision focuses on addressing key areas critical to Plateau State’s development, including:
Strengthening security through coordinated institutional action and community engagement
Driving economic growth through diversification, agriculture, and enterprise support
Expanding employment opportunities, particularly for young people
Promoting transparency, accountability, and trust in governance
Building unity and cooperation across Plateau’s diverse communities
His approach emphasises not just policy formulation, but effective implementation and measurable outcomes.
CONCLUSION: EXPERIENCE, CONSISTENCY, AND READINESS TO LEAD
Alfred Dapal Damiyal (ADD) stands at the intersection of professional experience, entrepreneurial capacity, and political engagement. His background provides him with both the technical understanding and leadership exposure required to navigate the complexities of governance.
As Plateau State looks toward 2027, his profile presents a combination of experience, consistency, and preparedness qualities that position him as a serious contender in the conversation about the state’s future.
BY GABRIEL MICHEAL—The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has again advanced its goal of deepening electricity access across the country with the commissioning of two mini-grid projects in Kano State after over sixteen years of darkness.
The agency commissioned two projects comprising a 195kWp system in Ballagaza and a 70kWp system in Marayar Rogo, located in Warawa, which will serve 2,222 households ending over sixteen years of darkness.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, described the project as another step toward achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda’s goal of electrifying over 17 million Nigerians.
He described the project as a strong example of what public-private partnerships can achieve.
He also thanked the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf for identifying electricity as a key deliverable of his administration and for providing a conducive environment for the execution of the project.
“The Federal Government did not build these mini-grids and hand them over. Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited invested its own money, built them, and will own and operate them for many years. What the government did, through the DARES programme delivered by the REA with support from the World Bank, was to subsidize part of the cost to ensure the electricity is affordable for you.”
“Under DARES, Nigeria is working toward 1,350 mini-grids, and the programme has already brought new or improved electricity to more than five million Nigerians. Our country still has more people without electricity than any other nation in the world. That challenge will not be solved by a single agency or programme; it will be solved community by community, in places like Ballagaza and Marayar Rogo, when private companies are willing to invest and communities take ownership of what is built for them. The government’s job is to keep its word to both,” he said.
The Gabazawa community which is known for groundnuts, millet, sorghum, and soya, as well as its blacksmiths, weavers, and dyers, will experience advanced production, allowing groundnuts to be pressed into oil and kuli-kuli using electric machines and sold at a better price.
The mini-grid project will also serve the primary healthcare centre in the Gabazawa community, which has previously been without power.
In her remarks at the event, the Co-founder of Alfuttaim, Dr. Nabilah Sani, expressed delight at the completion of the project, noting that it will not only power homes but also boost agricultural productivity.
She thanked the Federal Government for facilitating the funding that brought the project to fruition while noting that these are just two of ten sites currently under development in Kano.
She further urged residents of the community to protect the infrastructure as their own and shun vandalism.
SpaceX appears to have lifted restrictions the Ukrainian military’s of use Starshield — the military-grade version of the company’s Starlink internet system.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Defense Minister Evgeniy Khmara told reporters that Starshield appears to be working normally again, although the military is still conducting tests and has not received an explanation for the restrictions.
This follows a 10-day period where Ukrainian drones would lose internet connectivity when flying at speeds of around 100 miles per hour, resulting in the military losing control of some drones, while others became more vulnerable because they were flying more slowly.
President Donald Trump reportedly called SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday and asked him to restore Starshield service. Both Trump and Musk have criticized Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, with Musk recently posting, “Zelensky has gone too far.”
The WSJ previously reported that Musk ordered SpaceX to throttle Ukraine’s Starlink access, though some sources claimed he’d discussed it with the Trump administration first. Musk claimed in a post on X that Ukraine had “violated Starlink terms of service and used it for offensive drone strikes to kill people.”
“Were Starlink to be turned off, the Ukrainian front line would collapse immediately,” Musk said. “This is NOT a threat, it is simply a statement of fact.”