Schneider Electric has announced a new partnership with the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, as part of its plan to deepen energy skills development across Nigeria. The company disclosed the development in a statement on Monday, explaining that the collaboration aims to strengthen practical training for students in the Electrical Engineering Department. The initiative includes the donation of industry-focused training equipment meant to help students gain hands-on technical skills aligned with global energy standards.
According to Schneider Electric, the contribution is part of its wider Access to Education training programme in West Africa. Through this programme, the company said it has already surpassed its goal of training one million people in energy management by 2025. It explained that the initiative supports its broader commitment to youth empowerment and an inclusive energy transition across the region.
This latest effort follows a similar donation earlier in the year to three Lagos technical colleges through the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board. With the new partnership, Schneider Electric is extending its educational support beyond Lagos and into eastern Nigeria, marking a significant expansion of its training footprint.
At FUTO, students will now have access to customised didactic benches that cover domestic wiring and industrial motor starter applications. The tools are designed to help learners move from theoretical understanding to real industry practice. Head of the Electrical Engineering Department, Professor Matthew Olubiwe, said the donation would greatly strengthen the quality of practical learning available to students. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the Schneider Electric Foundation for its generous donation of didactic training bench equipment,” he said. “This contribution is helping bridge the gap between theoretical instruction and industrial practice.”
Schneider Electric Foundation Delegate for West Africa, Funmilayo Olakitan, said universities are key in shaping Nigeria’s future workforce. She noted that the partnership gives students access to the same technologies used in the modern energy industry. “This positions them not only for local employment but also for global competitiveness,” she said.
Along with the equipment, Schneider Electric also provided intensive training for university instructors to improve knowledge transfer. Olakitan added that the company’s focus goes beyond donating tools. “Our vision is not simply to donate equipment but to invest in the future of Nigerian youth. By embedding industry knowledge into education, we are empowering the next generation to take their place in the continent’s energy transition,” she said.
