By Abdullahi Lukman
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has announced plans to create 120 new jobs in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector as part of efforts to expand local manufacturing and accelerate the country’s clean energy transition.
The announcement was made by REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, during the official launch of the Next Gen RESCO Program: Empowering Future Leaders in Renewable Energy, held recently in Abuja.
Aliyu emphasized that the agency is moving beyond rhetoric into tangible action to develop the renewable energy industry.
“We are here now starting to go beyond the rhetoric, beyond just talking and walking the talk. We are about to add 120 additional job opportunities into the space by this event that we are taking place,” Aliyu said, stating, “So we have started changing this narrative.”
The new jobs are to be created mainly through the agency’s focus on localizing the manufacturing of renewable energy equipment, a strategy that aims to reduce dependence on imports while boosting the domestic economy and technological capacity.
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Aliyu noted that Nigeria’s photovoltaic (PV) panel manufacturing capacity has increased from 110 megawatts before Tinubu’s administration to 600 megawatts currently.
“This growth reflects a deliberate policy push to strengthen local production,” Aliyu explained.
“We have 600-megawatt PV panels manufacturing capacity today, and the LPV manufacturing facility in Lagos with a 100-megawatt capacity is now fully functional and operational.”
The expansion in manufacturing capacity not only supports job creation but also positions Nigeria as a growing player in Africa’s renewable energy sector.
The REA’s initiatives, including the Next Gen RESCO Program, are aimed at empowering young Nigerians and fostering innovation in renewable energy technologies.
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its energy sources and meet growing demand, the REA’s efforts signal a strong commitment to sustainable development, economic growth, and climate change mitigation.
The new job opportunities and localized production capabilities are expected to drive further investment and development in the renewable energy market.
