The Federal Government has inaugurated the Siemens Energy Education and Development (SEED) training facility in Abeokuta under the Presidential Power Initiative, with plans to train at least 6,000 energy professionals to strengthen Nigeria’s power sector.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Director of Human Resources Management at the Federal Ministry of Power, Samaila Nasiru, described the project as a major commitment to the future of Nigeria’s energy industry.
He explained that the Presidential Power Initiative is focused on modernising and expanding the country’s power infrastructure, stressing that investments in transmission and distribution alone cannot solve the sector’s challenges without developing skilled manpower.
According to him, the SEED programme is designed to ensure sustainable growth in the power sector by equipping Nigerians with the technical knowledge needed to operate, maintain and optimise modern power systems.
Nasiru noted that the five-year programme would train 6,000 professionals and also provide participants with internationally recognised certifications through partnerships with regulatory bodies such as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FGN Power Company, Kenny Anuwe, said the initiative represents a strategic investment in human capital development and aligns with the goals of the Presidential Power Initiative.
He stated that sustainable development in the power sector depends on the availability of highly skilled professionals capable of managing transmission and distribution systems across the country.
Anuwe added that the programme would support local content development by embedding technical expertise and operational knowledge within Nigeria’s workforce, while also creating jobs and boosting economic opportunities.
He disclosed that the training would be carried out in partnership with institutions including the Council for Regulation of Engineering, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, and the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
The Managing Director of Siemens Energy in Nigeria, Sheu Suleman, said the initiative would support the Federal Government’s efforts to reform the power sector.
He noted that the Presidential Power Initiative remains a key part of the administration’s energy reform agenda and would help reduce technical losses while promoting technology transfer and workforce development.
According to Suleman, the training programme will be conducted across several locations, including Abeokuta, Offa, Ibadan, Ayede, Birnin Kebbi and Sokoto, with additional centres expected to be developed in collaboration with the Federal Government.
The Country Director of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit in Nigeria, Markus Wagner, said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing power sector reforms and would help strengthen industry standards and quality assurance in technical training programmes.
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