FG restates its commitment to ensuring reliable electricity supply for rural communities.
FG restates its commitment to ensuring reliable electricity supply for rural communities.
The Federal Government has restated its commitment to delivering reliable electricity to rural communities as part of ongoing efforts to expand access, create employment opportunities, and boost economic growth through renewable energy.
At the weekend in Maiduguri, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, announced that under the Energising Education Programme, the agency has begun training 1,500 young Nigerians in renewable energy technologies, with 100 students from the University of Maiduguri making up the first set of beneficiaries.
He noted that the programme, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, targets unserved and underserved communities to improve livelihoods and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
According to him, the training was designed to develop skilled manpower to support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s renewable energy hub.
“This requires more than infrastructure deployment. It calls for a new generation of young Nigerians who are technically trained in the operation, maintenance, and financing of renewable energy projects,” he said.
Aliyu explained that participants are being trained with facilities already deployed by the agency across the country, giving them practical, hands-on exposure. He also announced that the maiden National Renewable Energy Forum will take place in Abuja on September 14 and 15, with all states expected to attend.
He noted that the programme, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, targets unserved and underserved communities to improve livelihoods and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
According to him, the training was designed to develop skilled manpower to support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s renewable energy hub.
“This requires more than infrastructure deployment. It calls for a new generation of young Nigerians who are technically trained in the operation, maintenance, and financing of renewable energy projects,” he said.
Aliyu explained that participants are being trained with facilities already deployed by the agency across the country, giving them practical, hands-on exposure. He also announced that the maiden National Renewable Energy Forum will take place in Abuja on September 14 and 15, with all states expected to attend.
He explained that Borno was selected as the kick-off point because of its solar panel assembly plants, which support the government’s push to promote local production of renewable energy components.
According to the Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), Oluyemi Akinyulere, the first phase will cover 15 universities, with each institution training about 100 students at world-class centres, while additional schools will be included in subsequent phases.
Amina Yusuf, a final-year engineering student and one of the trainees, described the initiative as “a unique chance for young people to acquire hands-on experience that can shape our careers and even enable us to launch renewable energy ventures.”
