Many have been speculating about the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and expecting big changes in the country’s situation, putting it at the center of attention. It was estimated that the Tinubu-led administration can generate millions of employment in the solar energy sector, according to Dr. Sunny Akpoyibo, President of Asteven Group, Council on Renewable Energy in Nigeria (CREN) and founder of Asteven Renewable Energy Institute. Dr. Akpoyibo said in an interview in Abuja that adequate partnership and engagement of private sector actors in the industry are necessary to attain the goal of generating employment.
To help more than 20 million Nigerians get employment, he suggested the president proclaim a solar energy training emergency programme for at least 500 youths from each of the country’s local governments over the next four years. In addition, the president of CREN and Asteven Group urged the Federal Government to collaborate with other stakeholders like the States, the National Assembly, NGOs, non-profit foundations, oil companies, and private companies to invest in youths, thus preventing the loss of billions of Naira in potential exports.
Nigeria ranks low sticking to the energy transformation plan.
A recent study conducted by economic analysts and experts estimates that by 2023, Nigeria’s unemployed rate will rise to almost 40%, adding to many challenges facing the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is a big warning sign compared to the impact of unemployment in 2018, when it was roughly half as high as the current speculation, leading to an increase in insecurity and a historically high rate of crime, most of which is committed by youths.
On the other hand, Dr. Sunny Akpoyibo emphasized that the experts prediction may be significantly lower than what would be recorded in the days ahead due to the recent removal of fuel subsidies. In spite of having more than 100 million young people and a large amount of untapped solar energy potential, Nigeria still ranks dismally low sticking to the energy transformation programme in terms of both securing technical expertise and the production of products.
So many young people rather seek white collar jobs.
In his opinion, a large number of Nigerian youths are uninformed about the industry and, as a result, have failed to take advantage of the enormous potential obtainable there. When they could become self-sufficient by learning the skills necessary to work in the solar energy industry, so many young people instead seek for white collar jobs. This proves that a sizable portion of today’s youth are still adrift to embrace the solar energy industry for all its potential.
While the previous administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari initiatives such as Solar Naija Home, Energising Education, Energising Markets and Solar off-grid, among others were well developed to be effective, at the same time they failed to last because they lacked a sustainability plan to prevent further losses. More so, several initiatives carried out by government agencies were implemented with inadequate plans for the deployment of technical expertise to assure the long-term viability and upkeep of the endeavors.
Currently, Nigeria produces 37 megawatts of solar energy.
Citing an example, he questioned how solar companies could send individuals all the way from Akwa-Ibom to Kano, where there are reportedly very few locally trained solar technicians. He said that it would be unrealistic to expect the expert to travel from Akwa-Ibom to Kano whenever the system is faulty. Dr. Akpoyibo stated that Nigeria is only producing 37 megawatts of solar energy currently, despite the country’s potential of 500,000 megawatts and estimated billions of dollars in economic value to help youths become economically independent and self-sufficient.
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Tinubu-led admin can create 20 million jobs – Adequate private sector actors engagement is crucial in the industry. – Express your point of view.
The Tinubu-led administration has the potential to create 20 million jobs, and the engagement of private sector actors is crucial in achieving this target. By partnering with private companies, the government can leverage their expertise, resources, and efficiency to drive job creation and economic growth. However, it is important to establish regulations and safeguards to protect workers’ rights and promote fair practices. With the right policies and collaboration, the government can harness the power of the private sector to create a more robust and inclusive job market.
While it is ambitious to aim for the creation of 20 million jobs, I believe that the private sector can play a significant role in achieving this goal. Adequate engagement of private sector actors is crucial in creating jobs, as they are the engine of economic growth and job creation. The government should create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive by implementing policies that encourage investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This would require addressing the challenges facing the private sector, such as access to finance, infrastructure, and skilled labor. By working together, the government and private sector can unlock the potential of Nigeria’s economy and create millions of jobs for its citizens.
I really hope the government will be able to provide this amount of job opportunities for the people. It will really help propel nation building and development in the country.
The private sector’s participation is essential in accomplishing the Tinubu administration’s goal of creating 20 million new jobs. By collaborating with private businesses, the government can take advantage and make use their knowledge, resources, and effectiveness to promote economic growth and job creation, it will reduce unemployment rate in the country if is done
Although it is an ambitious target, I think the private sector can contribute significantly to the development of 20 million jobs. Since the private sector is the primary driver of economic growth and job creation, its actors must be sufficiently involved in the job-generation process. By enacting laws that promote investment
I sincerely hope that the government will be able to give people this many job chances. It will significantly advance national growth. Providing employment for the people is a good things that will make the country progress and private sector intervention is needed also
The government should foster corporate growth by enacting policies that inspire confidence in taking chances turns and the pursuit of new opportunities and then more opportunity will open to solve other issues beyond just unemployment.
A good suggestion by Akpoyibo of Asteven Group. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can iii initiate the training of millions of Nigerian youth in Solar energy thereby creating jobs for them since Nigeria is ranking low in energy transformation. The Tinubu led administration is promising.