By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secondary Education Board has unveiled plans to integrate renewable energy education into its curriculum, starting with solar energy studies.

The initiative, launched in collaboration with FCT Solar Hub and Mantel Educational Services, aims to equip students with practical skills in solar energy installation, maintenance, and management.

The programme seeks to address Nigeria’s energy challenges by empowering a new generation of solar energy experts. It will also provide students with vocational skills, enhancing their employability and entrepreneurship prospects.

The FCT Solar Hub Programme Coordinator, Engr. Olubiyi Odeinde, emphasized the importance of sustainability and renewable energy education.

According to him, the programme will establish solar laboratories in schools, similar to science and technology labs.

He said, “Our goal is to establish solar laboratories in schools, similar to science and technology labs. When students interact with these resources, it sparks ideas. We are also looking to organize exchange programs with institutions abroad, which we believe will significantly impact infrastructure development. I always compare it to the computer boom—Nigerians are now among the best in coding and machine language, which began when we started investing in computers. We believe something similar will happen here with renewable energy.”

At the launch, Aderonke Timson of Mantel Global Services noted that the programme aims to make students self-reliant and capable of starting their own businesses.

“Training a child means training a nation, as they’ll grow to address unemployment through their skills. The world is shifting towards vocational skills, which are essential,” she emphasized.

The FCT Secondary Education Board’s Deputy Director, Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mrs. Laraba Dibal, confirmed that integrating solar energy education into the curriculum is underway.

She also praised the initiative’s timeliness and potential impact.

Dibal said: “This programme is timely and crucial for our students. Are there plans to integrate solar education and energy education into the curriculum? Definitely. This proposal has reached our Director Secretary, and we are confident he is considering it. When the team presented it to him, he was very enthusiastic.”

On his part, Engr. David Okwum, Chief Instructor for the programme, highlighted the significance of hands-on experience with solar energy systems.

“We want to equip teachers with the necessary skills to train students,” he explained.

Ruth Joel, a teacher and participant from Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse, welcomed the initiative, citing its potential to overcome challenges faced by students in acquiring solar panels.

Twenty-four teachers from six area councils of the FCT participated in the ‘Train the Trainer’ seminar.

Here is the rewritten text:

The Solar Innovators’ Team (S.I.T) Programme has several key objectives, which include utilizing renewable energy from the sun to generate electricity, achieving sustainable development in FCT schools, empowering students through vocational skills, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

These objectives are designed to promote a comprehensive approach to renewable energy education, equipping students with practical skills and knowledge to drive sustainable development and economic growth.

Organizers recommended providing teaching materials, establishing solar innovation laboratories, and creating a platform for student innovators to showcase their projects.