President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially opened Africa’s first Barefoot Renewable Energy College in Osara, alongside a Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant in Kogi State.
The projects are part of Nigeria’s push to train skilled personnel and drive the country’s transition to cleaner energy sources.Vice President Kashim Shettima represented the President at the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday.
The event was held at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, where both facilities are located.Speaking at the event, the President described the new college, known as BARECKS, as a globally competitive institution built to international standards.
He said it was designed to close the gap in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector by producing technicians and engineers who can turn the nation’s natural resources into usable power.According to Tinubu, the country has long struggled to convert its vast solar, wind and other renewable resources into electricity, employment, and growth.
He noted that BARECKS would directly address that challenge by equipping Nigerians with practical skills needed for the clean-energy industry.The Green Hydrogen Pilot Plant, also launched at the university, will serve as a research and demonstration hub for emerging hydrogen technologies.
Government officials say both projects will play a key role in building local capacity, attracting investment, and supporting Nigeria’s climate and energy goals in the years ahead.
