Renewable Energy: Stakeholders Call for Urgent Reform of Technical Education Curricula

By: Michael Mike

There has been a call for the Nigeria’s renewable energy sector tò be positioned as a key driver of economic growth and job creation, with stakeholders emphasizing the urgent need to reform technical education curricula to equip young people and women with green skills.

At a major milestone event in Abuja, the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform, in collaboration with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Dutch Consulate General, and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), unveiled progress in its curriculum reform process designed to strengthen technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in renewable energy, with a particular focus on solar power.

Speaking at the event, a representative of the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform, Victoria Manya cautioned that Nigeria’s energy transition must avoid replicating the inequalities associated with the fossil fuel sector.

“Energy transition, instead of breaking chains, was at risk of becoming fossil’s handmaiden because it was replicating the injustices that have historically been associated with the fossil sector,” she said.

Manya highlighted the vast potential of renewable energy to generate employment, particularly for women and young people, while also helping the country tackle its persistent energy deficit and climate change challenges. She stressed the importance of inclusive policies that prioritize marginalized groups in the green economy.

According to her, INCLUDE, working with the House Committee on Renewable Energy, the NBTE, GIZ, and more than 100 technical stakeholders, redesigned the solar photovoltaic (PV) curriculum at the ND, HND, and National Occupational Standards (levels 4 and 5). She noted that the process, led by NBTE’s Head of Curriculum Development, Dr. Hatim Koko, benefitted from strong technical support from the Dutch Consulate and other partners.

In his keynote address, Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Adam Victor Ogene, underscored the sector’s importance not only in tackling climate change but also in unlocking economic opportunities.

“Our renewable energy sector is more than just a response to climate change; it is a driver of economic growth, job development, and national pride.

“I’m personally impressed by the impactful work of the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform in Nigeria. Their contributions to policy formulation and sustainable development deserve recognition and applause.”

He further noted that the reviewed renewable energy curriculum will equip Nigerian youths with the skills to harness the nation’s abundant solar, wind, hydro, and biomass resources.

“This will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, promote energy security, and attract investment, creating thousands of jobs in the process,” he added.

Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan targets 30 percent renewable energy penetration by 2030. Meeting this ambition will require more than 340,000 green jobs by 2030, rising to 840,000 by 2060. Globally, the renewable energy sector generated over 13 million jobs in 2023, and Africa’s share is projected to triple by 2030.

However, industry leaders warn that skills gaps persist, with nearly half of technical roles in Nigeria’s renewable sector currently unfilled due to a lack of industry-aligned training. The new curriculum reform seeks to bridge that gap and ensure that Nigerian workers are positioned to benefit from the global energy transition.

Renewable Energy: Stakeholders Call for Urgent Reform of Technical Education Curricula

NHRC Calls for Swift Trials of Arrested Leaders of Ansaru Terrorist Group

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Federal Government to swiftly put every machinery in place to ensure swift trials of the arrested leaders of the notorious terrorist group, Anssaru, ensuring that they are held to the highest form of accountability befitting their heinous crimes.

The call was made on Tuesday by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu at the presentation of July 2025 Human Rights Dashboard in Abuja.

Ojukwu while lamenting the increase in killings of security personnel and auxiliary members of vigilante group, said there was urgent need to ensure that all needed apparatus are put in place to tackle insecurity, particularly terrorism in the country.

The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu had at a press briefing over the weekend said two terrorists, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar) and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), both leaders of Andaru and on the wanted list of Nigeria, the US, UK and UN were captured in an operation which was conducted between May and July 2025.

Ojukwu said: “From our observatory, we are gravely concerned by the resurgence and escalation of deadly violence in different parts of the country. In Sokoto, 15 men were killed in a reprisal attack by suspected members of Lakurawa. In Kebbi, a similarly tragic pattern emerged, with three police officers losing their lives in a failed abduction attempt.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the month of July represents the deadliest for vigilante groups in the country with a fatality of almost a hundred deaths. The role of vigilante in supporting our security and armed forces in the field of battle should not be lost on us. Their decimation portends danger for our collective security and the enjoyment of our liberties. These are not isolated incidents; they represent a failure of security, justice and accountability. We are seeing an increase in targeted killings of law enforcement agents; frequent kidnappings and killings by bandits; brazen acts of violence by cultist groups and widespread violations of the right to life, particularly in communities already vulnerable due to conflict and poverty.

“It is in this regard, that the National Human Rights Commission welcomes the arrests of the leaders of Ansaru, a deadly terrorist organisation which is responsible for gross human rights violations of Nigerians. We commend the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces and the Office of the National Security Adviser for this feat. There is much we can achieve in safeguarding our citizens and human rights if agencies collaborate and adopt human rights-based approaches. We call on the authorities to swiftly put every machinery in place to ensure swift trials of the terrorist leaders and ensure that they are held to the highest form of accountability befitting their heinous crimes.”

He added that: “As we salute the courage and gallantry of our intelligence and armed forces, we call on other sectors of our security and law enforcement to rise up to the responsibility of safeguarding the human rights of Nigerians currently facing attacks in Benue, Plateau, Niger, Zamfara, Sokoto and Borno states all of whom, based on our dashboard for July are facing dire security situations.”

Ojukwu asked security agencies to reaffirm their commitment to professionalism and human rights in their operations; government actors to address the root causes of these violations – poverty, impunity, and weak institutional responses.

He equally asked civil society and the media to continue raising awareness and putting pressure where needed; and all citizens, he called, to speak out and stand firm against violence, injustice, and indifference.

He disclosed that in the month of July, a total of 331,035 complaints were received by the commission across the nation.

He noted that: “The most prevalent issues this month relate to law enforcement and human dignity, freedom from discrimination, and economic, social, and cultural rights. These are not new issues, but their persistence underscores systemic problems we cannot normalize.”

He stressed that: “When dignity is undermined by those tasked with upholding the law, the social contract begins to erode. When people are denied equal treatment or suffer indignities due to who they are, we all suffer a loss in our collective humanity.”

NHRC Calls for Swift Trials of Arrested Leaders of Ansaru Terrorist Group

Troops rescue kidnapped farmer as ISWAP terrorists flee with bullet wounds in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued a farmer who was abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in New Abaram village, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident occurred on Sunday when three terrorists, disguised as hunters with dogs, infiltrated farmlands in the community and kidnapped the victim.

The sources said that the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, responded swiftly after farm escorts in the area alerted troops.

“On sighting our troops, the terrorists opened fire on the victim and fled the scene with gunshot wounds,” the source said.

The victim sustained gunshot injuries to the mouth and hand and was immediately evacuated to General Hospital, Bama, where he is receiving medical treatment.

The source added that the general security situation in the area remained calm.

Troops rescue kidnapped farmer as ISWAP terrorists flee with bullet wounds in Borno