By Ali Elias
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), has graduated 72 trainees from a three-week Human Capital Development programme in Solar Panel Installation and Maintenance, in a move aimed at bridging the skills gap in Nigeria’s power sector value chain.
The training, held in Lagos, focused on equipping participants with practical and industry-standard competencies in renewable energy technology, particularly solar installation and maintenance.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director of Capacity Building at NCDMB, whose remarks were delivered by the Board’s Senior Monitoring Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Ibrahim Sule, commended NAPTIN for its partnership in the successful execution of the programme.
According to him, the certification earned by the trainees would significantly enhance their employability within the power sector value chain.
The trainees’ newly acquired certification enhances their employability within the power sector value chain, the Board stated.
Sule also noted that the competencies acquired during the programme would give the beneficiaries a competitive edge over foreign counterparts operating within similar fields, in line with the objectives of Nigerian Content development.
The trainees, he added, would not only leave with technical knowledge but also receive empowerment support in the form of startup kits, uniforms and safety gear to aid their transition into the workforce.
“This initiative is not only a training programme but also an empowerment opportunity,” he said, adding that the support packages were designed to help beneficiaries establish themselves within the growing renewable energy industry.
Earlier, the Director-General of NAPTIN, Alhaji Bolaji Nagode, expressed appreciation to NCDMB for its sustained commitment to human capital development in Nigeria.
Nagode stressed that building practical and industry-relevant skills among Nigerians remained essential to economic growth, energy sustainability and local participation in the power sector.
He said the partnership between both institutions demonstrated a shared commitment to developing a technically competent workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, underscored the importance of collaboration among government agencies in tackling unemployment and youth empowerment challenges.
Ogunlende praised the synergy between NCDMB and NAPTIN, describing it as a model for effective institutional partnership.
He urged the graduates to maximise the opportunities provided through the training and apply their newly acquired skills productively.
“He encouraged the trainees to utilize their skills and certifications effectively, assuring them that their potential is limitless,” the statement added.
The programme forms part of NCDMB’s broader strategy to deepen local content capacity across critical sectors of the economy while supporting Nigeria’s renewable energy ambitions and youth employment drive.