The Federal Government has inaugurated the Siemens Energy Education and Development (SEED) training facility in Abeokuta as part of efforts to strengthen technical capacity in Nigeria’s power sector, with plans to train no fewer than 6,000 energy professionals over the next five years.
The initiative, launched under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), is designed to support the modernisation and expansion of the nation’s electricity infrastructure while building a highly skilled local workforce to sustain reforms in the sector.
Speaking during the inauguration on Tuesday, Samaila Nasiru, Director of Human Resources Management at the Federal Ministry of Power, described the project as a major commitment to the future of Nigeria’s energy industry.
According to him, although the Federal Government is investing heavily in transmission and distribution infrastructure under Phase One of the Presidential Power Initiative, infrastructure alone cannot solve the country’s energy challenges without deliberate investment in human capacity development.
“While modernising the grid is essential, it is the empowerment of our people that makes such progress sustainable,” Nasiru said.
He noted that the SEED programme reflects the government’s commitment to developing a workforce capable of operating, maintaining and optimising modern power systems.
Nasiru explained that the five-year programme would train 6,000 professionals across multiple locations in Nigeria and would be implemented in partnership with regulatory and technical institutions, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
He added that participants would receive internationally recognised certifications to improve employability within Nigeria and across the ECOWAS region.
Kenny Anuwe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FGN Power Company, said the initiative represents a strategic investment in human capital development and aligns with the Federal Government’s broader vision of transforming the power sector.
He stressed that sustainable progress in the electricity industry depends on the availability of skilled professionals who can efficiently manage and innovate within the nation’s transmission and distribution networks.
“Today’s event is not just about launching a training initiative; it is about investing in people and building the technical expertise needed to sustain Nigeria’s energy transformation for generations,” Anuwe said.
He explained that the programme would be implemented at training centres in Abeokuta, Offa, Ibadan, Ayede, Birnin Kebbi and Sokoto, with additional centres expected to be developed in collaboration with the Federal Government.
Anuwe further stated that the initiative would deepen local content development by ensuring that technical knowledge and operational expertise remain within Nigeria’s workforce and institutions.
According to him, this would create jobs, strengthen economic opportunities and position Nigeria as a regional hub for technical excellence in the energy sector.
He also commended development partners, including the European Union, the German Government, Siemens Energy and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), for supporting Nigeria’s energy reform efforts.
Sheu Suleman, Managing Director of Siemens Energy Nigeria, said the SEED initiative would support the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the power sector and contribute to reducing technical losses across transmission infrastructure.
He added that the programme would also facilitate technology transfer and workforce development to enhance long-term sector performance.
Also speaking, Markus Wagner, GIZ Country Director in Nigeria, said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader power sector reform agenda and would integrate globally approved industry standards and quality assurance measures into its training programmes.
