REA Kick Off Renewable Energy Training Programme, 100 Young Nigerians Enrolled

Maiduguri, Nigeria – On Saturday, 13 September 2025, the Rural Electrification Agency added a feather to its sustained efforts towards inclusion and capacity building in the renewable energy space with the official launch of a Renewable Energy Training Programme at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State. A 8-week programme deliberately designed to nurture and train a new breed of young professionals in Nigeria, equipping 100 students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for contributing to Nigeria’s sustainable energy future, the programme kicked off at the University of Maiduguri, the site of the 12MW solar hybrid power plant constructed under the World Bank-funded Energizing Education programme (EEP) Phase II.

Beyond implementing the deployment of renewable and off-grid energy infrastructure nationwide through its various programmes and initiatives, over the years, the REA has championed efforts on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and capacity development in the renewable energy space through initiatives such as the EEP female STEM Internship and the NEXTGen RESCO program. These initiatives are being optimised to secure the quality workforce needed across the nation as the Federal Government of Nigeria advances its mandate in renewable energy infrastructure scale-up. These young professionals, upon acquiring the requisite knowledge, will continue to strengthen a community of localized workforce in the sector.

As the REA continues to open its doors to strategic, impact-focused collaborations, the agency is working in lockstep with Astound Power, a youth-led Renewable Energy Company and MCC, the company engaged for the construction of the UNIMAD power plant under Phase II of the EEP.

Speaking at the training launch, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, the MD/CEO of REA emphasized the central role young people must continue to play to gain industry-standard expertise to secure the future of the nation’s clean energy assets, aligning with the Federal Government’s efforts on youth employment, and sustainable development. He explained that “the REA has already deployed clean energy infrastructure across the country, and as Nigeria is moving towards becoming the renewable energy hub of Africa, these infrastructure requires not only funding but, most importantly, a pipeline of young workforce to lead in the operation and maintenance of these infrastructure”

Olufemi Akinyelure, the Head, Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), while addressing the 100 young Cohorts of the Renewable Energy Training Programme, spoke on the need to secure the energy transition pathway through skills development. He reiterated the transformative value of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) II, under the NEP while giving assurances to young Nigerians to “tap into the opportunities being created by the REA as capacity development initiatives such as this will continue to take place across institutions where the REA currently have active EEP projects”.

The 100 Cohorts were given a charge by other high-level dignitaries from the REA, as well as the Maiduguri University Management, including the Executive Director, Technical Services, Engr. Umar A. Umar; the Executive Director, Corporate Services Ayoade Gboyega; the Chief Medical Director, UMTH, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo as well as the Actng. Vice Chancellor for the University.

In appreciation of the partnership with the REA, the Founder and CEO, Astound Power, Shuaibu Abubakar, expressed his delight as “securing the capacity development partnership with the REA will ensure the optimization of the 8-week training curriculum designed to explore both theoretical and practical learning. Abubakar explained that “a future for the youth must involve the youth” and “by focusing on youth, this initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of skilled workers, leaders, and innovators who will spearhead Nigeria’s energy transition.

For the REA, the sustained advocacy for youth inclusion in the clean energy sector is more than just an academic endeavour, but a deliberate move to secure the Federal Government’s investment in renewable energy, increase local capacity and local expertise in the clean energy sector, drive long-term sustainability of renewable energy assets and build a dynamic workforce that can compete anywhere across the world.