Nigeria's goal of generating 840,000 new jobs through its energy transition by 2050 could hit a brick wall due to weak workforce planning and institutional gaps, according to a report by LEADERSHIP Newspapers. The country currently lacks the public data needed to prove that its workforce can handle the planned $500 billion energy transition plan.
The findings come from a research study titled "Can Nigeria Deliver Its Energy Transition Plan? Nigeria Energy Transition Capability Baseline 2026," released by Energy Transition Africa (ETA). The organisation warned that Nigeria cannot yet show that its existing institutions and skilled workers are ready to match the speed and size of its clean energy goals.
Under the updated Energy Transition and Investment Plan released in November 2024, the nation aims to attract roughly $500 billion in extra funding. The programme also targets 277 gigawatts of installed electricity capacity by 2060, alongside hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities over the next three decades.
However, the ETA research revealed that publicly accessible records do not show a clear breakdown of the specific professionals needed, the job roles required, or where these experts will work. It also pointed out that there is no solid proof that current training centres and schools can prepare enough people for these roles.
Vincent Egoro, the executive director of ETA and the lead researcher for the study, questioned the link between the power projections and real human resources. He noted that while Nigeria has targets for power generation and job numbers, it has failed to provide a practical workforce strategy that connects both sides.
