Tinubu Inaugurates Africa’s First Renewable Energy College in Kogi, Unveils Green Hydrogen Plant
Tinubu Inaugurates Africa’s First Renewable Energy College in Kogi, Unveils Green Hydrogen Plant
President Tinubu inaugurates Africa’s first Barefoot Renewable Energy College in Kogi State alongside a Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the Barefoot Renewable Energy College, Osara (BARECKS), in Kogi State, alongside a Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant, in what the Federal Government describes as a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s renewable energy workforce and clean-energy economy.
The landmark facilities were inaugurated at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Tinubu at the inauguration and conveyed the President’s satisfaction with the completion of the project.
The development comes as Nigeria seeks to expand renewable energy, strengthen technical education, improve energy access and prepare young Nigerians for emerging opportunities in the global clean-energy economy.
The Energy Commission of Nigeria has previously described the Barefoot Renewable Energy College as a flagship initiative designed to train Nigerians in solar installation, system maintenance and other clean-energy technologies.
Tinubu Says College Will Address Renewable Energy Skills Gap
President Tinubu said Nigeria has enormous renewable energy potential, including sunlight, wind, biomass and water, but has historically struggled to transform those natural resources into reliable electricity and sustainable employment.
According to the President, the new college is intended to help close the technical manpower gap by producing workers with practical skills required to install, operate and maintain renewable energy systems.
Tinubu described the institution as a vocational and technical college designed to develop technicians, installers, operators and maintenance professionals who can support Nigeria’s energy transition.
The President said the project represents an important answer to the question of who will provide the technical skills needed to build and maintain Africa’s clean-energy future.
He also stressed the importance of practical education, noting that Africa’s challenge has not necessarily been a lack of ideas but a shortage of adequately trained people capable of turning those ideas into practical results.
The Federal Government’s focus on technical skills is particularly significant as renewable energy technologies continue to expand across Nigeria, creating demand for people who can install solar systems, maintain batteries, operate mini-grids and provide technical services to homes, businesses and communities.
What Is the Barefoot Renewable Energy College?
The Barefoot Renewable Energy College, located in Osara, Kogi State, is a specialised vocational and technical institution focused on renewable energy education and practical skills development.
The initiative is being driven through the Energy Commission of Nigeria and is designed to provide hands-on training in renewable energy technologies.
The Federal Government has said the institution is intended to produce skilled professionals capable of supporting the country’s clean-energy transition.
The college is also expected to provide a pathway for young Nigerians who want to develop practical technical skills without necessarily following a conventional university route.
Its emphasis on vocational training could become increasingly important as Nigeria's renewable energy market develops and demand increases for qualified solar technicians, installers, operators and maintenance specialists.
The Energy Commission reported in its 2025 review that construction of the college had moved significantly toward completion and that the facility was designed to train Nigerians in solar installation, system maintenance and clean-energy technologies.
College Modelled on India’s Barefoot Approach
President Tinubu said the Nigerian institution was inspired by vocational colleges in India that have helped train people in rural communities in solar engineering and renewable energy skills.
He expressed confidence that a similar approach could be adapted to Nigerian communities, particularly areas where access to electricity remains a major challenge.
The President said the model could help expand renewable energy skills beyond major urban centres and into rural communities.
This approach is important because renewable energy systems can provide electricity solutions for communities that are difficult or expensive to connect to conventional electricity infrastructure.
Solar mini-grids, standalone solar systems, battery storage and other decentralised energy technologies have the potential to support households, schools, healthcare facilities, agricultural businesses and small enterprises.
By training local technicians to install and maintain these systems, Nigeria could reduce dependence on external technical support while creating employment opportunities for young people.
Green Hydrogen Research Plant Also Commissioned
Another major component of the project is the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant located alongside the renewable energy college.
The facility is expected to support research, experimentation and practical learning around green hydrogen technologies.
Green hydrogen generally refers to hydrogen produced using renewable electricity rather than fossil-fuel-based energy sources.
The technology is attracting increasing global interest because hydrogen can potentially be used in areas such as industrial processes, energy storage and certain forms of transportation.
For Nigeria, investment in green hydrogen research could provide an opportunity to develop local expertise in an emerging area of the global energy industry.
The combination of renewable energy training and hydrogen research could therefore give students and researchers exposure to technologies that are expected to play a role in the future energy landscape.
The Federal Government has previously identified the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant as part of its investment in science, technology and clean-energy development at CUSTECH, Osara.
Modern Facilities to Support Practical Training
The Barefoot Renewable Energy College is expected to provide students with access to modern facilities designed around practical renewable energy education.
Among the facilities associated with the college are smart classrooms, battery energy laboratories, a mini-grid simulation centre and energy-efficiency laboratories.
These facilities are intended to give trainees more than theoretical knowledge.
Students can potentially gain practical exposure to the technologies involved in renewable energy generation, storage, distribution and efficient energy use.
This practical approach is particularly important in the solar energy sector, where the quality of installation and maintenance can directly influence the performance and lifespan of renewable energy systems.
Proper training can also help improve safety standards and professional practices across the industry.
New Opportunities for Nigerian Youths
One of the most significant potential benefits of the new renewable energy college is job creation.
Nigeria has a large and growing youth population, while businesses and communities increasingly require technical workers who understand renewable energy technologies.
The college could help bridge the gap between young people seeking employment and companies searching for skilled workers.
Graduates may eventually find opportunities in solar installation companies, renewable energy firms, mini-grid projects, energy consultancy, equipment maintenance and other areas of the clean-energy sector.
Some graduates could also use their skills to establish small businesses offering solar installation, maintenance and energy-efficiency services.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology has emphasised the importance of skills development to Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a larger and more diversified economy.
The renewable energy sector could become one of the areas where technical education, entrepreneurship and employment intersect.
Kogi State Government Welcomes Federal Investment
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo welcomed the establishment of the college, describing the project as an important investment in human capital and sustainable development.
The governor said the institution would strengthen Nigeria’s energy sector by developing skilled manpower while also attracting investment and creating economic opportunities.
The location of the college at CUSTECH, Osara, also creates an opportunity for stronger interaction between renewable energy training, university education and scientific research.
The Federal Government has previously highlighted the development taking place at CUSTECH, including investments in academic infrastructure and the renewable energy facilities.
Why the Renewable Energy College Matters to Nigeria
Nigeria’s electricity challenge cannot be addressed by infrastructure alone.
The country also needs people with the skills to design, install, operate, repair and maintain modern energy systems.
This is where the Barefoot Renewable Energy College could play an important role.
A shortage of skilled technicians can undermine investments in renewable energy because poorly installed or inadequately maintained systems may not deliver their expected performance.
By developing a stronger technical workforce, Nigeria can potentially improve the reliability of renewable energy projects and create a pool of professionals capable of supporting future investments.
The institution could also help encourage innovation by connecting students, researchers, government agencies and private-sector companies.
Nigeria Seeks Bigger Role in Africa’s Clean Energy Future
The inauguration comes at a time when countries around the world are exploring ways to expand cleaner sources of energy while improving energy security and economic development.
Nigeria has significant renewable energy resources, particularly solar energy, and the government has repeatedly identified renewable energy as an important part of its long-term energy strategy.
President Tinubu described the Barefoot Renewable Energy College as the first institution of its kind on the African continent and said Nigeria could become a pacesetter in renewable energy capacity development.
The Federal Government is also encouraging development partners, private-sector organisations, international institutions and research bodies to collaborate with the college.
Such partnerships could provide opportunities for technology transfer, research funding, professional training and investment.
From Training to Renewable Energy Businesses
The long-term success of the college will depend not only on classroom education but also on how effectively graduates can apply their skills.
One possible outcome is the emergence of new renewable energy entrepreneurs.
A trained technician could establish a solar installation company, provide maintenance services, design small-scale energy systems or work with rural communities to develop decentralised energy solutions.
This could have a multiplier effect.
Instead of producing only employees, the institution could help create people who establish businesses and employ others.
That possibility makes renewable energy education relevant not only to Nigeria’s power sector but also to entrepreneurship and youth employment.
A New Chapter for Renewable Energy Education in Nigeria
The inauguration of the Barefoot Renewable Energy College and the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant represents a significant development in Nigeria’s efforts to build technical capacity around emerging energy technologies.
The project combines vocational education, renewable energy training, research and practical demonstration.
Its impact, however, will ultimately be measured by what happens after the inauguration.
The number of young people trained, the quality of their education, the employment opportunities available to graduates, the research produced at the institution and the renewable energy businesses created by its alumni will all determine the project’s long-term value.
If properly supported, the college could become a model for renewable energy skills development in Nigeria and potentially across Africa.
It could also help demonstrate how technical education can be linked directly to national development priorities.
Conclusion
President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration of the Barefoot Renewable Energy College, Osara, and the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant marks a new milestone in Nigeria’s renewable energy development.
Located at CUSTECH in Kogi State, the institution is designed to provide practical skills in renewable energy technologies while supporting research and innovation.
At a time when Nigeria needs better electricity access, more skilled workers and new employment opportunities, investment in renewable energy education could become increasingly important.
The college has the potential to equip young Nigerians with valuable technical skills, encourage renewable energy entrepreneurship and strengthen the workforce required to support clean-energy projects.
The real test will now be implementation: ensuring that the institution remains adequately funded, maintains high training standards, develops strong industry partnerships and provides graduates with pathways into employment and entrepreneurship.
If those objectives are achieved, the Barefoot Renewable Energy College could become more than a new educational institution. It could become an important part of Nigeria’s strategy to build a skilled workforce for the clean-energy economy of the future.
FAQ
What is the Barefoot Renewable Energy College?
The Barefoot Renewable Energy College, Osara, is a specialised vocational and technical institution established to provide practical training in renewable energy technologies, including solar energy and related systems.
Where is the Barefoot Renewable Energy College located?
The college is located at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, in Kogi State, Nigeria.
Who inaugurated the renewable energy college in Kogi State?
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the project, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing him at the ceremony on August 4, 2026.
What other facility was inaugurated alongside the college?
The Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant was also inaugurated alongside the Barefoot Renewable Energy College.
What will students learn at the college?
The institution is designed to provide practical skills related to renewable energy technologies, including solar installation, system operation, maintenance, energy efficiency and other clean-energy applications.
Why is renewable energy training important for Nigeria?
Renewable energy training can help Nigeria develop the skilled workforce required to install, operate and maintain clean-energy systems while creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.
Is the Barefoot Renewable Energy College the first of its kind in Africa?
President Tinubu described it as the first institution of its kind on the African continent. The State House has separately described the college as the second globally after the model in India, so the distinction should be understood specifically in the African context.
What is green hydrogen?
Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced using renewable energy, typically through a process that separates hydrogen from water using electricity generated from renewable sources. It is being researched globally for potential applications in industry, energy storage and other sectors.
What could the college mean for Nigerian youths?
The college could provide young Nigerians with practical technical skills that may lead to employment, renewable energy entrepreneurship and opportunities in Nigeria’s growing clean-energy sector.
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