The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has secured 130 paid energy jobs for young Nigerian graduates under its newly launched NextGen Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) programme. The initiative, which officially kicked off this month, aims to create a clear pathway from training to employment for aspiring professionals in the country’s fast-growing clean energy sector.
Tagged “Empowering Future Leaders in Renewable Energy,” the NextGen RESCO programme is the first of its kind in Nigeria. It is a collaborative effort between REA, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), and the Eco-Innovation Empowerment Initiative. According to REA, the programme is designed to train, mentor, and place talented youth in paid internships and jobs across the country within a 12-month cycle. “We are not just training people, we are launching careers,” said REA’s Managing Director and CEO, Engr. Abba Aliyu, during the programme’s unveiling in Abuja.
Aliyu explained that the programme responds directly to a critical labour shortage in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector. “Currently, Nigeria has around 70,000 jobs in renewable energy, but with our population and energy needs, we should be producing five times that number,” he said. He further noted that Africa, in general, accounts for only 320,000 renewable energy jobs, underscoring the urgency of building a sustainable workforce pipeline on the continent.
Speaking to journalists, Aliyu said, “This programme is not only about creating 130 jobs. It is about building a national talent pipeline that will produce 10,000 energy professionals in the coming years. The gap between theory and hands-on skills is costing us, and we are here to close that gap.” According to him, the pilot programme last year placed 120 graduates across the six geopolitical zones and laid the foundation for the current expansion.
The NextGen RESCO initiative places greater emphasis on technical capacity than academic pedigree. “A degree is important, yes, but what this sector needs are people who can wire a solar mini-grid, calibrate inverters, and maintain battery systems,” Aliyu said. He added that the programme includes three months of classroom training, one month of internship with Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs), and nine months of paid work placements.
Ahmed Nagode, Director-General of NAPTIN, echoed Aliyu’s sentiments. “Only 50 percent of the skilled workforce needed to sustain Nigeria’s power sector is currently available,” Nagode revealed. “Our graduates have knowledge, but many lack industry-grade technical skills. This programme is our answer to that crisis.” He also warned of the consequences of inaction, pointing to deteriorating solar infrastructure in the capital. “Streetlights powered by solar energy in Abuja may fail in the next five years if not maintained by skilled professionals,” he said.
A press release from REA further emphasized that the programme’s curriculum includes training in solar PV installation, mini-grid design, energy efficiency audits, and PV system supervision. “We are developing not just workers, but professionals who can innovate, manage systems, and lead projects,” the statement read. REA also confirmed that application is now open to qualified Nigerians nationwide.
Participants will benefit from paid internships and guaranteed jobs secured through partnerships with private RESCOs. According to REA, top-performing trainees will transition into nine-month, fully paid roles in the renewable energy sector. “These are not vague promises—these are signed agreements with our partners,” Aliyu stated.
By investing in skills and job placements, REA hopes to anchor Nigeria’s clean energy transition in local expertise. “We want to ensure that the people powering Nigeria’s energy future are young, homegrown talents who understand the terrain and the technology,” said Aliyu. With this initiative, the government aims not only to tackle unemployment but also to lay the groundwork for a sustainable, resilient energy system.
Interested applicants are encouraged to visit REA’s official application portal or contact the agency directly. With a two-week application window, the race has begun to be part of Nigeria’s first generation of NextGen energy leaders.
