The Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians of uninterrupted electricity soon, declaring that the country is on track toward achieving sustainability in the power sector.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this known in Abuja during the inauguration of two new blocks housing five training workshops and a 104-room hostel at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN).
Adelabu described the projects as a milestone for the institute and the power sector, noting that Tinubu’s administration had shown genuine commitment by “walking the talk and converting vision into action.”
He explained that the government’s push was already yielding results, with Nigeria recently recording its highest-ever power generation and transmission levels.
“In no time, we are going to witness a country where there is 24/7 uninterrupted power supply. This is possible and we have certainly seen the signs,” he said.
The minister added that the government was prioritising electricity for universities, teaching hospitals, primary health centres, public institutions and communities, insisting that power remained the backbone of education, health, aviation and other sectors.
“We have what it takes to start manufacturing our own meters, cables, transformers, transmission transformers and batteries. We have the brain. We have the people. We must be self-reliant and sustainable, and we are very close to achieving this,” Adelabu stated.
He said the new facilities underscored the government’s commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of tackling challenges in the evolving energy landscape. The training centres and hostel, he noted, would empower young Nigerians with modern tools and knowledge to drive innovation and job creation.
NAPTIN Director-General, Ahmed Nagode, described the projects as laying the foundation for a brighter future in the power sector. He revealed that the institute planned to explore partnerships to implement the Next Generation Rescue Programme to train and empower young leaders.
Nagode also commended the European Union (EU) and the French Government, which, through Agence Française de Développement (AFD), provided funding and technical support for the new facilities.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, said the bloc committed €8 million to the project as part of its ongoing support for Nigeria’s power sector reforms. He added that the EU had developed 95 courses for NAPTIN, including 65 technical and 30 non-technical ones, and invested more than €200m in the power sector since 2008.
According to Mignot, the EU’s latest renewable energy package for Nigeria, worth €100m, aims to add 400 megawatts of renewable energy by 2027, benefitting over five million Nigerians.