The Federal Government has revealed that Nigeria lacks about 50% of the skilled workers needed to effectively manage the power sector, especially in the renewable energy space.
This was disclosed by Ahmed Bolaji Nagode, Director-General of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), during the launch of the Next Gen RESCO Programme. The programme is a joint initiative by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), NAPTIN and Eco-Innovation Empowerment Initiatives, aimed at building local capacity in renewable energy.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, Nagode said the skills gap is a major challenge, as many graduates lack the hands-on experience needed in the energy industry. He emphasized that while Nigeria produces a large number of university graduates, most are not equipped with the technical skills required to support and maintain power infrastructure.
“The renewable energy space is expanding, but we’ve only filled about half the human capital needed. This programme is here to train young people to take up those roles,” he said.
The training will cover key areas like solar panel installation and maintenance, mini-grid design and energy efficiency. Nagode also warned that without proper training, much of Nigeria’s new solar infrastructure such as streetlights may not last more than five years.
REA’s Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, noted that although Africa has over 600 million people without electricity, only 320,000 jobs exist in the renewable energy sector across the continent. Nigeria, which has the highest number of people without power, contributes just 70,000 of those jobs.
Aliyu said the Next Gen RESCO Programme is Nigeria’s first public-private talent pipeline for renewable energy. It will train 120 young graduates from across the six geopolitical zones through a three-month classroom course and a nine month paid internship. Top-performing trainees will receive automatic job offers.
He added that the goal is to create over 10,000 new jobs in the renewable energy sector in the coming years, supporting President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for job creation and energy access.
“We’re not just talking anymore. We’re creating real opportunities and building local capacity to take control of our renewable energy future,” Aliyu said.