Tinubu Commissions Africa’s First Renewable Energy College in Kogi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the Barefoot Renewable Energy College, Osara (BARECKS), in Kogi State, describing the facility as a world-class institution that positions Nigeria as a leader in renewable energy capacity development across Africa.

The President, who spoke through Vice-President Kashim Shettima during the commissioning ceremony at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, on Tuesday, also unveiled the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant located within the facility.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, on Tuesday, August 4.

Tinubu said the establishment of the college would address Nigeria’s long-standing challenge of converting its abundant natural resources into energy capacity and employment opportunities.

READ ALSO: Rivers Coalition Will Deliver State To Tinubu In 2027 – Wike

He said Nigeria, despite being “abundantly endowed with sunlight, wind, biomass and water,” had struggled with “converting its endowment into megawatts, and megawatts into jobs,” adding that the new institution would help bridge that gap.

The President described BARECKS as Africa’s first institution of its kind, modelled after vocational colleges in India that trained people without formal education to become solar energy technicians.

“This is the first institution of its kind on the African continent, modelled on the celebrated vocational colleges of India that turned unlettered grandmothers into solar engineers,” Tinubu said.

“If that method could light the villages of Rajasthan, it can light the settlements of Kogi, Ondo and Cross River. Nigeria assumes, from today, the position of pacesetter in renewable energy capacity development across Africa.”

Tinubu noted that the completion of the college within two years demonstrated a departure from the country’s history of delayed projects.

“Two years ago, we stood on this ground for the groundbreaking of this institution, with red earth underfoot and the ambition of a few determined Nigerians for company. Today, we stand before a world-class edifice, completed to international standards,” he said.

He said the college was established to close the skills gap affecting Africa’s energy transition by producing competent technical manpower in renewable energy technologies.

“Our continent has never suffered a deficit of intention. We have suffered the scarcity of hands trained to execute them,” the President added.

According to him, graduates of the institution would receive internationally recognised certificates that would enable them to secure employment, establish businesses and compete globally.

“A certificate issued in Osara must one day command respect in Nairobi and in Frankfurt,” Tinubu said.

The President urged development partners, private sector operators, international organisations and research institutions to collaborate with the college in expanding research, innovation and technical training.

“Nigeria is prepared to host and lead such collaboration,” he said.

Tinubu also commended the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, and the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for taking the project from conception to completion.

He praised Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing the environment that supported the establishment of the facility.

Speaking at the event, Governor Ododo described the commissioning as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable development through investment in human capital.

He said the college would strengthen the country’s energy sector by building technical capacity, attracting investment and creating opportunities for communities.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, described the project as a major investment in human capital development and job creation.

Udeh said Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy would depend on developing skilled professionals in strategic sectors, including renewable energy.

The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said the institution was the first of its kind in Nigeria, equipped with smart classrooms, battery energy laboratories, a mini-grid simulation centre, energy efficiency laboratories and other modern training facilities.