Empowering Nigeria’s Future: The Role of Youth in Renewable Energy Transition

Being a country with a young population and endowed with renewable energy resources, Nigeria is at the crossroads towards a transformational energy future. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and the largest economy, and therefore well-placed to drive the continent’s renewable energy transformation.

However, the potential of this social organisation can only be achieved if young people get more involved. Young people in Nigeria need to be encouraged to take up leadership roles in the energy sector because they are innovative, full of energy and tenacious.

This being the case, barriers exist to utilising renewable energy among the youth, as will be explained next. A 2021 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) stated that one of the most significant barriers to youth employment in Africa is the general ignorance of the numerous employment opportunities within the renewable energy sector.

A good number of the youths in Nigeria, especially those in the rural areas, are still ignorant of the various opportunities available in the industry. Also, small numbers of specialised education and training make many individuals incapable of meeting the demands of a green economy.

There are still financial constraints; 62% of young Nigerians have challenges finding training to acquire new skills or establish green energy businesses due to expensive costs, as was revealed by the NYCC survey. Specific strategic steps must be taken to maximise Nigeria’s youths’ ability to use renewable energy.

Education as the Foundation

The first approach towards involving the youths in renewable energy is through sensitisation. As with many countries, Nigerian students are introduced to renewable energy only at a more advanced level.

Since renewable energy is part of Nigeria’s curriculum in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, the country can prepare the future generation for a green economy. Today’s universities, including Covenant University’s Hebron Startup Lab, already include sustainability and renewable energy education to foster stewardship.

A Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) report also pointed to the need for increasing human resource needs for skilled employees in generating solar energy and wind turbines. For these reasons, it is logical for Nigeria to introduce such topics into its educational pipeline to have a constant source of supply to the growing educational needs.

Vocational Training and Skill Development

Schooling, for example, is insufficient; youths must undergo vocational training to learn practical lessons. Bodies like the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) and programmes like the Solar Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) have played an enormous role in offering training in installing solar panels and maintaining wind turbines.

These programmes assist young Nigerians, especially those in rural areas, in gaining skills that meet the demands of the green economy. Through its National Energy Policy (NEP), the Nigerian government appreciates the need to increase vocational training for the energy sector.

Such collaborations with local and international organisations could be used to expand such programmes to create a higher chance for youths to join the renewable energy sector.

Financial Support for Youth-Led Green Initiatives

Finance is still another problem that needs to be addressed. Organisations frequently lack access to funding. Most youth enterprising in the green economy are financially constrained because they do not have security or knowledge of accessing credit.

There are also current initiatives in Nigeria, including the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), which the Nigerian government has set to support youth entrepreneurship. However, more tangible financial incentives from commercial banks and investors are desired to promote renewable energy innovation.

The role of partnerships with the private sector cannot be overemphasised. Other similar initiatives have been supported by international organisations such as the Green Climate Fund and the African Development Bank (AfDB) across Africa.

Such partnerships can go a long way in reducing the financial risks in Nigeria and encouraging young businesspeople to embrace clean energy technologies.

Leveraging Technology and Social Media for Engagement

If there is one area in which young people could be reached effectively today, it is through technology. Young people are deeply immersed in social media applications such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

These platforms have the potential to raise awareness and rally people around renewable energy. Renewable energy organisations can use these platforms to post stories of achievements, give lessons and even post challenges through which the youth will be encouraged to develop sustainable solutions.

Classic case scenario, the African innovative social enterprise, Solar Sister, has employed social media to market clean energy products and encourage young people to join their green energy campaign. The same could be done in Nigeria, where young people’s voices are rarely heard in the renewable energy sector. Awareness can be created, and participation can be encouraged.

Youth in Leadership and Policy Making

Therefore, Nigeria’s energy future has to include youth participation in creating those policies. Using examples like youth advisory councils and leadership training programmes, young people should be ready to take positions in energy policy.

Cultivating mentorship and youth involvement will help the next generation fully prepare to lead the country’s energy transition. The Nigerian Youth Climate Action Network recently called for policy shifts in the National Energy Transition Plan; the energy sector is not an area where youth lack the willingness to lead but their capability.

These movements prove that with the right equipment, backing and ground, Nigeria’s youth can bring value to Nigeria’s energy change.

Conclusion

Therefore, Nigeria’s energy future must include youth participation in creating those policies. Using examples like youth advisory councils and leadership training programmes, young people should be ready to take positions in energy policy.

Cultivating mentorship and youth involvement will help the next generation be fully prepared to lead the country’s energy transition. The Nigerian Youth Climate Action Network recently called for policy shifts in the National Energy Transition Plan; the energy sector is not an area where youth lack the willingness to lead but their capability.

These movements prove that with the right equipment, backing and ground, Nigeria’s youth can bring value to Nigeria’s energy change.

Dr. Marvellous Aghogho Chidinma Gberevbie is a scholar and freelance writer with interest in energy, business and human capital development. She is part of the ForbesBlk team, where she applies her experience in the academic-industrial partnership and International Human Resource Management to bring unique perspectives to the changing energy sector.

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