President Bola Tinubu, Tuesday, commissioned Africa’s first renewable energy college, the Barefoot Renewable Energy College, Osara, (BARECKS) and the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant in Kogi State.
President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, described the college as a world-class edifice, completed to international standards.
He said the college would address the difficulty Nigeria has faced in converting its natural endowment of abundant sunlight, wind, biomass and water into megawatts of electricity and creating jobs.
The President observed that, with the Barefoot Renewable Energy College and the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant now open for studies, the question about whose hands should build and maintain Africa’s future has been answered.
He said, “This is the first institution of its kind on the African continent, modelled on the celebrated vocational colleges of India that turned unlettered grandmothers into solar engineers.
“If that method could light the villages of Rajasthan, it can light the settlements of Kogi, Ondo and Cross River.
“Nigeria assumes, from today, the position of pacesetter in renewable energy capacity development across Africa.”
Expressing satisfaction with the speed at which the project was completed, the President pointed out that while, as a nation, Nigerians have become used to foundation stones that outlast the men who laid them, the college kept its appointment with the people.
“Two years ago, we stood on this ground for the groundbreaking of this institution, with red earth underfoot and the ambition of a few determined Nigerians for company.
“Today, we stand before a world-class edifice, completed to international standards,” he added.
The Nigerian leader stated that the college was built as a vocational and technical institution to close the gap in Africa’s energy transition.
President Tinubu said that graduates from the college would earn internationally recognised certificates of proficiency qualifying them for employment, starting their own enterprise and competing anywhere in the world.
He called on development partners, the private sector, international organisations and research institutions “to join hands with the college to expand research, innovation and technical training,” assuring that”Nigeria is prepared to host and lead such collaboration.
Earlier, Governor Usman Ododo said the inauguration of the college was a clear indication that Nigeria is on the path to sustainable development through investment in human capital.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, described the project as a major investment in human capital development and job creation, stating that it reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to building a knowledge-driven economy.
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