Hey, Young Innovators: Time to Power Up Nigeria’s Green Future!
By: Abudu Olalekan
Imagine this: It’s a bustling Thursday in Abuja, September 11, 2025. The air’s buzzing with excitement at the Green Skills bootcamp. Theme? “Spark the Green Economy: Robovolt Brand Reveal and AI-Driven Micro Grid Skills.” Stakeholders from Nigeria’s energy world are there, rallying the troops—especially the young ones—to supercharge the country’s shift to renewables. Yeah, it’s that kind of day where big ideas meet real action.
Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi kicks things off strong. He’s the Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, or ECN for short. He says Nigeria’s energy security? It doesn’t just lie in our natural resources. Nope. It’s also about the smarts and creativity of our people. Think about it. We’ve got solar, wind, hydro, biomass, lithium, even nuclear potential. All abundant. But turning them into something accessible, reliable, affordable? That’s the real challenge.
Abdullahi gets animated. “Nigeria is very rich in mineral resources, including lithium in almost every state,” he points out. The government’s stepping up, localizing tech. Soon, no more importing lithium batteries or solar panels. We’ll make ’em right here. He mentions deals with LONGi, the world’s top solar component maker, setting up factories in Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu’s all in, aiming for 30 percent of our energy from renewables like solar, hydro, wind by 2030. Boom. That’s commitment.
He urges the youths—hey, that’s you—to lead with science-backed creativity, policy smarts, and tech vision. Drive that transition. Make it happen.
Then there’s Dr. Abdul-Quayyum Gbadamosi, CEO of Citibim Nigeria Limited. He paints a grim picture, but with hope. Studies show over 90 percent of businesses here rely on diesel or petrol generators. Ouch. Energy access is a struggle. Generators everywhere—in shops, homes. His team’s launching a mobile solar generator today. A real solution. But innovation wasn’t easy. They hit roadblocks with local skills. So, why not build them? That’s where AI, geo-intelligence, virtual reality come in.
“We’re organizing this bootcamp to show youths there’s tons of opportunities in sustainability, the green revolution, energy access, and digital stuff,” he says. Citibim’s got this Sustainability Dashboard now. It maps assets nationwide. Needs data collection, processing, visualization, geo-intelligence. New careers for young folks in green tech. Exciting, right?
Dr. Oladimeji Olawale chimes in next. He’s CEO of Sleekabyte Technologies, UK Ltd. Talking about the RoboVolts project. Unveiling it today. Aimed at cheaper, cleaner alternatives to those noisy diesel generators. Cuts costs, boosts profits for MSMEs—those small and medium businesses that keep Nigeria running. “It’s not just about powering them,” he says. “We’re training people to maintain these solutions, giving green skills that create jobs.”
They’re weaving in AI to map generator use in communities. Gives government data to phase out fossil fuels, switch to sustainable options. Smart move.
Musaddiq Mustapha wraps it up powerfully. He’s Personal Assistant to President Tinubu on Subnational Infrastructure. Calls the mobile solar generator a game changer for distributed renewables. But tech alone? Not enough. People matter most. “The president has made it clear we must build skills and capacity,” he emphasizes. Training Nigerians in solar installation, battery maintenance, data analysis, green entrepreneurship.
Every solar unit out there, every CNG bus converted, every efficient appliance—it’s a job creator, a community lifter. We’ll build infrastructure that powers growth, protects the climate. Use carbon markets for finance. Train our people for the green economy. “Nigeria will lead with integrity, evidence, and ambition,” he declares.
The bootcamp wasn’t all talk. There was the Robovolt Brand and Product Unveiling. Trainings on artificial intelligence, geo-intelligence, virtual reality, sustainable energy solutions. Hands-on stuff. Young innovators diving in, sparking ideas.
According to reports gathered by Reportersroom, this event’s a beacon. Nigeria’s got the resources, the youth, the drive. But it’s on us to make it real. Challenges? Sure. High costs, regulations, fossil fuel habits. Yet opportunities abound. Startups popping up, like solar kits or AI energy apps. By 2050, renewables could mean millions of jobs, lower emissions.
So, young innovators, what’s stopping you? Grab those green skills. Innovate. Nigeria’s future’s bright—and it’s powered by the sun, wind, and your ideas. Let’s make it happen. No more blackouts. Just green power ahead.
