Nigeria’s Green Economy: Over 340,000 Jobs Needed By 2030, Says Rep. Afam Ogene

Nigeria to Require Over 840,000 Green Jobs by 2060 – Hon. Afam Ogene

The Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has emphasized the urgency of preparing Nigeria’s workforce for a green economy, projecting that the country will need over 340,000 green jobs by 2030 and approximately 840,000 by 2060.

Speaking at the High-Level Dissemination Session on the implementation of Nigeria’s Enhanced Solar Energy Curriculum, themed “From Plans to Practice: How Political Will Becomes Workforce Transformation,” Ogene stressed that Nigeria must prioritize local content and workforce readiness to fully harness the opportunities in the renewable energy space.

According to iReporter Online, the lawmaker stated that the country is firmly committed to training and producing a new generation of technicians, engineers, and entrepreneurs capable of competing not only within Africa but globally.

He noted that the renewable energy sector presents more than an environmental solution — it is a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and national pride.

“We are at a watershed moment in a decade when the world is accelerating toward net-zero goals,” Ogene said. “To bridge the skills gap, we must ensure our youth are equipped with practical and industry-aligned knowledge in solar, wind, hydro, and biomass technologies.”

Ogene emphasized that the reviewed solar energy curriculum is not merely an academic framework but a strategic national tool for sustainable development.

He called on stakeholders to support the initiative wholeheartedly, pointing out that Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan targets 30% renewable energy penetration by 2030.

According to iReporter Online, Ogene also highlighted that while the global renewable energy sector created over 13 million jobs in 2023, many African countries — including Nigeria — are lagging behind in workforce readiness.

Despite having a youth population that makes up over 60% of Nigeria’s demographic, unemployment and underemployment still hover around 42%.

“This is not just a gap — it is a golden opportunity,” he said. “Renewable energy can become the bridge between our young talent and sustainable, meaningful livelihoods. But only if we equip them properly.”

He further stated that many technical positions in Nigeria’s green sector remain unfilled due to a lack of industry-specific practical skills, underscoring the importance of aligning educational programs with market demands.

In her remarks, Victoria Manya, the team lead of Include Knowledge Platform, warned that without structural reforms, the energy transition could replicate the very inequalities it seeks to address.

According to iReporter Online, Manya revealed findings from recent research showing that a local skills deficit is causing a reliance on foreign-trained personnel, while elite capture limits the benefits of clean energy investments to a small group.

“Energy poverty is further compounded by multidimensional poverty and a rural–urban divide in access to clean energy,” Manya noted. “Unless labour-based incentives are integrated, the transition risks becoming a continuation of the fossil-fuel model of exclusion.”

She called for an inclusive, equitable, and skills-focused approach to ensure that Nigeria’s green future is both just and transformative.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”