In a bold move to align education with the demands of the green economy, the Federal Government of Nigeria has launched an ambitious national review of its renewable energy curriculum with the aim of reshaping how technical education equips future professionals for the clean energy revolution.
Led by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the initiative kicks off a structured overhaul of the National Diploma (ND) programme in renewable energy, and the development of two new Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes—one in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and another in Solar Thermal technologies.
Backed by the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform, African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL), the Government of the Netherlands and the, House of Representatives, National Assembly, the review signals a significant step forward for Nigeria’s energy transition and its wider strategy for job
creation and industrialization.
Government’s intentionality in the development of the renewable energy in Nigeria is underscored essentially by the high priority given to the sector, by the 10th House of Representatives, led by our Speaker, the Rt. Hon. Abass Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, who, in a historic first, established the Committee on Renewable Energy to spearhead policies, track progress, and promote development that attracts investment and sustains renewable energy technology in Nigeria.
Hon. Victor Ogene, Chairman, Committee on Renewable Energy, emphasized that recently the House of Representatives also adopted a resolution that makes it mandatory for government ministries, agencies, departments and institutions to transition to renewable energy sources for their power needs, thus necessitating the urgent need to bridge the skill gaps in the sector.
At the opening session, held at Custodian Hotel in Abuja yesterday, Prof. Idris M. Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the NBTE, painted a sobering picture of the nation’s power deficit. “Nigeria has less than 30 watts of electricity available per capita, and over 60% of grid power is consumed by just two states–Lagos and Ogun,” he said. “If we’re serious about industrialization and expanding access, decentralized solar energy is not just a solution, it’s a necessity.”
Prof. Bugaje emphasized that Nigeria’s rich deposits of high-purity silica, particularly in Daura and Jigawa, provide a strategic advantage for local production of solar PV cells. But tapping into this potential, he stressed, will require a technically skilled workforce trained in solid-state physics, hybrid energy systems, solar cooling, and thermal electricity generation.
The review will also develop National Occupational Standards (NOS) for solar installations—essential for standardizing training across polytechnics and correcting dangerous practices currently observed in the field. “We’ve seen too many rooftop solar systems failing due to incorrect tilt angles,” Bugaje warned. “These failures aren’t just inefficient—they’re dangerous. This curriculum will fix that.”
Victoria Manya, Knowledge Manager at ASCL-INCLUDE, welcomed the collaboration and praised participants for their commitment. “This is more than an academic exercise,” she said. “It’s a foundation for inclusive growth, energy justice, and skills that matter in today’s world. We’re proud to support a process that puts young Nigerians at the center of the renewable energy economy.”
The curriculum workshops are unfolding in phases, starting with the ND review before moving on to detailed development of the two HND programs. Stakeholders from academia, government, and the private sector are working together to ensure the final curriculum reflects global standards, industry needs, and Nigeria’s unique energy landscape.
The NBTE has pledged to continue engaging partners to ensure a modern, practical, and future-ready curriculum–one that doesn’t just talk about energy transition, but trains the hands and minds who will build it.
