President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the Barefoot Renewable Energy College (BARECKS) at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State, describing the project as a major milestone in Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
The commissioning was performed on the President’s behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Developed by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), the institution is the first purpose-built college in Africa dedicated to practical renewable energy education, research, innovation and workforce development.
It is modelled after India’s renowned Barefoot College and is designed to provide practical renewable energy training to Nigerians regardless of their educational background.
The college combines hands-on technical training with university-backed research to bridge the gap between vocational skills acquisition and academic innovation.
It is equipped with smart classrooms, renewable energy laboratories, photovoltaic and solar thermal workshops, battery storage and power electronics laboratories, mini-grid simulation platforms, wind and bioenergy training facilities, electric vehicle charging modules and energy efficiency laboratories.
The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, described the project as a significant step in Nigeria’s renewable energy journey and expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and other government officials and partners for supporting the initiative.
He said the establishment of the college would strengthen renewable energy education, promote innovation, develop skilled manpower and support Nigeria’s transition to sustainable energy.