The federal government has commenced a solar installation training for over 200 youths. The initiative, under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical knowledge in renewable energy.
“This week, we officially began the Solar Installation training under the NPRGS program. Participants are now gaining practical, hands-on experience in renewable energy, a vital skill for a sustainable future,” said Dr. Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education.
Beneficiaries of the programme are already mounting and wiring solar panels while learning how to convert sunlight into electricity. The hands-on training aims to provide the skills necessary to start small solar businesses and support energy access across underserved communities.
The project is being coordinated under Dr. Arogundade’s office with support from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
“Demand for solar is so much. Like today, we are training about 230 people but we had about 100 people who had to go back. We had to put them in the phase two of our programme. So it has been such a wonderful journey, and we know that the demand is there and we must supply more training to empower people across Abuja and other states across the federation,” she added.
Many of the trainees expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged to use the skills gained to support themselves and their communities.
One beneficiary said, “I’m going to use it to impart people in my community and also help them just as they are giving me this training.”
Another stated, “I now know the different types of solar panels, solar PV, solar thermals, voltage, thermometer and everything.”
One of the facilitators highlighted the future impact of the training, noting, “At the end of the training, they will have the skill set to set up solar companies themselves and also the required skill sets to install solar PVs.”
This effort aligns with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and focus on energy sufficiency, job creation, and entrepreneurship through green technology.