Abuja: The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) has announced plans to train 1,500 engineers and technicians in the power sector as part of efforts to enhance electricity supply in Nigeria. This initiative was discussed by Alhaji Mamudah Mamman, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, during a Stakeholders’ Engagement for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the engagement, themed ‘Building a Skilled and Sustainable Workforce for NESI Transformation’, emphasized the necessity of skilled manpower in realizing stable and reliable electricity in Nigeria. Represented by Mr. Mustapha Babaumara, Director of Distribution at the Ministry of Power, Mamman highlighted that a policy had been developed to enable NAPTIN to train these engineers and technicians over the next two years. He stressed the importance of stakeholders utilizing NAPTIN’s facilities to train their staff, given NAPTIN’s current financial constraints.
Mamman explained that the ministry is urging distribution, generation, and transmission companies to adopt the curriculum developed by NAPTIN to improve skilled manpower within their organizations. He noted that the power sector requires trained personnel, as fresh graduates are not immediately equipped to operate in the field. Mamman encouraged stakeholders to leverage NAPTIN’s facilities for personnel training to achieve the desired power sector.
Mr. Godfrey Ogbemudia, Programme Manager for Energy and Circular Economy at the European Union (EU) delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stated that the EU is funding two components of the NAPTIN project, known as Component 1 and Component 2. He also mentioned the EU’s support in developing a curriculum for Component 3, contributing to corporate development and curriculum advancement at NAPTIN.
Ogbemudia highlighted EU’s significant role in Nigeria’s solar market and their ongoing support for renewable energy projects, including wind and small hydropower. He revealed the plan to conduct a year-long on-site wind study and the collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation on small hydropower projects, which aim to add 400 megawatts from renewable energy by 2027, benefiting 5 million Nigerians.
Earlier in the event, NAPTIN’s Director-General, Mr. Ahmed Nagode, emphasized the importance of a skilled workforce for the success of technical upgrades and market restructuring in the power sector. Nagode pointed out the challenges of skills gaps, misalignment between training and industry demands, and the need for structured collaboration, which the engagement sought to address.
Nagode asserted that NAPTIN is ready to serve as the central pillar for skill development in NESI. He called for a shift from consultation to sustainable collaboration and expressed confidence that the discussions would lead to concrete commitments for specialized training programs.