President Tinubu commissions Africa’s first Renewable Energy College in Kogi
By Precious Mark
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned Africa’s first renewable energy institution, the Barefoot Renewable Energy College, Osara (BARECKS), along with the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant in Kogi State.
The President described the institution as a world-class citadel of learning built to international standards, noting that it addresses Nigeria’s long-standing challenge of converting its abundant natural resources, sunlight, wind, biomass, and water into usable power and job opportunities.
Representing the President at the inauguration ceremony in Osara, Vice President Kashim Shettima stated that the facility firmly positions Nigeria as a continental leader in clean energy capacity building.
In his address delivered by the Vice President, President Tinubu noted that the college is the first of its kind on the African continent, modeled after the celebrated vocational colleges of India that turned unlettered grandmothers into solar engineers.
He emphasized that if the model could power villages in Rajasthan, it could equally light settlements across Kogi, Ondo, Cross River, and beyond, establishing Nigeria as a pacesetter in renewable energy capacity development across Africa.
Reflecting on the rapid execution of the project, the President recalled laying the foundation stone two years ago and expressed satisfaction that the commitment to deliver a world-class facility was met on schedule.
He explained that the vocational and technical college was specifically established to bridge Africa’s widest gap in its energy transition: the shortage of skilled, practical technical manpower.
According to the President, graduates of the institution will earn internationally recognized certificates of proficiency as installers, technicians, operators, and maintenance professionals. He expressed optimism that qualifications issued at Osara will command global respect, enabling graduates to launch enterprises and compete anywhere in the world.
President Tinubu called on international organizations, development partners, and private sector investors to partner with the college to scale research and technical training.
He commended the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, alongside the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, for driving the project to completion. He also praised Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the host community for creating an enabling environment for the project.
Speaking earlier, Governor Ododo affirmed that the institution demonstrates Nigeria’s strategic focus on human capital development and sustainable growth. He noted that the college will strengthen the nation’s energy infrastructure while attracting investments and opportunities to local communities.
In his remarks, Dr. Kingsley Udeh emphasized that achieving Nigeria’s target of a one-trillion-dollar economy relies heavily on building a skilled workforce in critical sectors like clean energy.
Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi added that the college features modern training infrastructure, including smart classrooms, battery energy laboratories, energy efficiency labs, and a mini-grid simulation center aimed at advancing practical research and development.