The Federal Government says it is leveraging innovation and strategic partnerships with the private sector to equip Nigerian youth with the skills needed to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the clean energy economy, as part of efforts to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs and promote national development.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN), stated this while receiving Mr. Opeyemi Awoyemi, Co-founder of Jobberman and Founder of hello.cv, during a courtesy visit to the ministry to explore areas of collaboration on youth employment and innovation.
The discussions focused on supporting the ministry’s forthcoming Youth and Students in Innovation Initiative, which aims to equip young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills and connect them to employment opportunities in the rapidly growing clean energy sector.
Awoyemi highlighted the widening gap between Nigeria’s clean energy ambitions and the availability of skilled professionals needed to drive the country’s energy transition.
He noted that with more than 85 million Nigerians lacking reliable electricity, growing investments in solar energy, mini-grids, smart metering, energy storage and electric mobility would require a workforce capable of deploying and maintaining these technologies.
To address the challenge, Awoyemi proposed a digital, competency-based training model that would equip young Nigerians with practical skills, assess their technical competence and link qualified participants directly with employers in the clean energy industry.
Responding, Dr. Udeh described human capital development as a key pillar of the ministry’s mandate, stressing that Nigeria’s clean energy future must be driven by indigenous talent.
He said investing in the skills of young Nigerians would reduce reliance on foreign expertise while positioning the country as a competitive player in the global green economy.
The minister also underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between government and the private sector in developing technology-driven solutions that respond to industry needs.
According to him, such partnerships complement the ministry’s efforts to promote innovation, commercialise research, support entrepreneurship and create sustainable employment opportunities for young people.
Dr. Udeh added that the proposed collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises innovation, technology, industrial development and youth empowerment as key drivers of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to building strategic partnerships that will accelerate technology adoption, strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem and promote inclusive economic growth.
The meeting forms part of the ministry’s ongoing engagement with innovators, industry leaders and development partners aimed at advancing innovation-led development and positioning Nigerian youth to thrive in the global knowledge and clean energy economy.