The Federal Government has taken a significant step in advancing renewable energy education by establishing a new college dedicated to this field in Kogi State.
According to The PUNCH, the project’s groundbreaking ceremony was held on Saturday at the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, with Governor Usman Ododo, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, and the Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, in attendance.
During the ceremony, Governor Ododo expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for initiating this project, which he believes will play a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change by promoting renewable energy adoption in Nigeria.
He highlighted that the college’s mission includes empowering marginalized communities, advancing gender equality, and bolstering local resilience.
Ododo said, “I want to appreciate President Bola Tunubu for his initiatives to bring the project which will help in addressing the negative impact of climate change by promoting renewable energy sources and adaptation in Nigeria to the state.”
In his address, Minister Nnaji described the groundbreaking event as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey toward sustainable development and energy transition.
He emphasized that the creation of this college underscores the ministry’s dedication to closing the skills gap in the renewable energy sector and harnessing the country’s abundant energy resources through strategic partnerships, coordinated by the Energy Commission of Nigeria.
Nnaji also pointed out that the college’s success would largely depend on the continued support of the state government, the host university, and the local community to ensure its long-term sustainability.
The Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Abdullahi, also spoke at the event, calling the college a milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of renewable energy solutions.
He remarked that the institution would not only address the shortage of skilled professionals in this field but also expand the nation’s knowledge and innovation opportunities in renewable energy.
