Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Sector Struggles with Half of Required Skilled Workforce, FG Confirms

Nigeria is currently facing a critical shortage of skilled workers in its power sector, with the Federal Government revealing that half of the necessary workforce is missing, especially in renewable energy.

Ahmed Nagode, Director-General of NAPTIN, disclosed this at the Next Gen RESCO Programme launch organized by the Rural Electrification Agency and partners.

Nagode emphasized the importance of closing the skills gap among Nigerian youths to meet the sector’s growing demands. “This tripartite collaboration is carefully structured to identify, train, and empower youths with the requisite skills to thrive in the renewable energy sector,” he said, linking the program to President Tinubu’s goals for economic growth and job creation.

Highlighting the difference between theoretical education and practical skills, Nagode said, “There is a difference between academic qualifications and the skills needed to operate the power network. That is the void NAPTIN was created to fill.” The training focuses on solar PV installation and maintenance, supervision, mini-grid design, and energy efficiency.

Nagode also warned about the poor maintenance of solar infrastructure, noting that many solar streetlights in Abuja could fail within five years without proper upkeep. He called for increased local content development to empower Nigerian youths rather than depending on foreign experts.

REA’s CEO, Abba Aliyu, revealed that while there are about 70,000 renewable energy jobs in Nigeria, many more are needed to bridge the energy access gap. He highlighted the recent establishment of a 600-megawatt photovoltaic panel manufacturing capacity under President Tinubu’s administration.

The Next Gen Programme will provide 120 graduates with paid training and internships, offering job placements to top performers. This initiative is part of a broader plan to create 10,000 new jobs in renewable energy, addressing Nigeria’s significant workforce shortfall.