Nigeria’s renewable energy sector is set for a major boost, as a new public-private partnership initiative aims to generate 10,000 new jobs through the Next Gen RESCO programme.
The program, led by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), and the Eco-Innovation Empowerment Initiative, is designed to address the growing demand for skilled labour in the renewable energy industry.
“With only 70,000 renewable energy jobs in Nigeria today, we are still far from meeting our national needs,” said Abba Aliyu, Managing Director and CEO of REA, during the program’s official launch. “This programme is about closing that gap with real, practical training.”
Last year, the initiative placed 120 graduates from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones in hands-on roles. The focus is clear: skills over academic qualifications.
According to Aliyu, the program also helped strengthen Nigeria’s photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing capacity to 600 megawatts.“The gap between academic credentials and industry readiness is a real issue,” he said.
“That’s what we’re solving.”Director-General of NAPTIN, Ahmed Nagode, echoed the urgency of developing local talent. “We currently have only 50 percent of the technical workforce we need,” he noted.
“Despite producing thousands of graduates yearly, most lack the technical skills required to operate and maintain critical infrastructure.”He warned that without trained professionals, key installations—like solar-powered streetlights in Abuja—risk falling into disrepair within just five years.
The program, now open for applications, offers young Nigerians a structured pathway into the energy sector. Selected candidates will undergo a three-month paid training at NAPTIN, followed by a one-month internship with Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs).
Top performers will then be placed in nine-month paid roles, with job placement guaranteed upon completion.
“The focus areas include solar PV installation and maintenance, mini-grid design, system supervision, and energy efficiency,” the REA said in a statement.
With this initiative, Nigeria aims to empower a new generation of clean energy professionals, paving the way for a sustainable and self-reliant power sector.
