From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has recorded a major milestone in the country’s renewable energy drive with the commissioning of the Barefoot Renewable Energy College (BARECKS) at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State, the first purpose-built institution of its kind in Africa.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, inaugurated the college on Tuesday, describing it as a landmark project that would strengthen Nigeria’s leadership in renewable energy development and human capital advancement.
Modelled after India’s renowned Barefoot College, BARECKS is an initiative of the ECN designed to provide practical renewable energy training to Nigerians regardless of their educational background, while integrating hands-on technical skills with university-based research and innovation.
Among dignitaries at the event were Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN); Minister of Steel Development, Dr. Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello; former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN); Vice-Chancellor of CUSTECH, Prof. Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu; members of the APC National Working Committee, traditional rulers, legislators, development partners, captains of industry, as well as ECN directors and staff.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Tinubu, represented by Shettima, and other dignitaries hailed the establishment of BARECKS as a groundbreaking achievement for Nigeria and the African continent. They also commended the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, for what they described as the Commission’s remarkable achievements over the past two years.
In his address, Abdullahi described BARECKS as a transformative national asset that would drive research, innovation, technology development, skills acquisition and job creation, positioning Nigeria and Africa at the forefront of the global clean energy transition.
He said the institution is equipped with world-class facilities, including renewable energy laboratories, photovoltaic and solar thermal workshops, battery storage and power electronics laboratories, mini-grid simulation platforms, wind and bioenergy training facilities, electric vehicle charging modules and energy efficiency laboratories.
The ECN boss added that the commissioning of BARECKS, alongside the Green Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Pilot Plant, underscores the Commission’s commitment to building world-class institutions that will accelerate renewable energy innovation, strengthen human capital and support Nigeria’s sustainable economic development.
(The Sun)