Energy
THE Asteven Energy Institute has appealed to the Ogun Government, organisations and individuals to support renewable energy training for youths.
The Registrar of the institute, Dr Lanre Akinloye, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday at the Institute’s main campus on the Lagos/Ibadan expressway.
He said that the support would enable more young people to acquire skills in renewable energy technology and contribute to addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
Akinloye said that students undergoing the National Diploma (ND) programme were already earning income through jobs secured from skills acquired during training.
“Our ND II students who went for industrial training after their ND I are now doing very well.
“They no longer stay at home during weekends because they regularly get jobs and earn money from their skills,” he said.
The registrar said that the institute was established in 2018 and received accreditation to offer the ND in Renewable Energy Technology in 2021.
According to him, the programme started in May 2025, following the enrolment of students for the 2024/2025 academic session.
He said that the institute currently had ND I and ND II students, while admission remained open for the 2026/2027 academic session.
On the Ogun scholarship beneficiaries, Akinloye said that 10 ND II students were currently receiving sponsorship from the institute.
He explained that the Ogun Government had initially indicated interest in sponsoring qualified indigenes following a visit by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya.
According to him, the commissioner, who represented the governor at an institute programme, was impressed with its facilities.
‘’The institute subsequently shortlisted 35 candidates and submitted their names to the government for consideration.
‘’However, following the government’s failure to provide the sponsorship, the institute’s management selected 10 beneficiaries for support.
“The 10 students are now here, and the institute’s management is sponsoring them,” he said.
Akinloye said that the beneficiaries were indigenes of Ogun and currently in their final semester.
He said that the beneficiaries were expected to complete the programme by February 2027.
The registrar, however, appealed to the state government to fulfil its initial commitment and support more young people to acquire renewable energy skills.
He said that the institute could not independently shoulder the responsibility of training all interested youths without government and private-sector support.
“There are many youths who need this programme because it will solve a lot of problems.
“The mini-grid has crashed so many times, and government alone cannot provide electricity for everybody,” he said.
Akinloye said that the institute had secured approval to operate as a polytechnic and introduce additional academic programmes.
He said that Computer Science had received regulatory approval, while the institute was working toward securing approval for Higher National Diploma in Renewable Energy Technology.
He added that the institute was renovating four buildings acquired behind its premises to expand its facilities and provide additional hostel accommodation.
‘’The institute currently attracts students from different parts of Nigeria, as well as Sierra Leone and Ghana, ‘’ the registrar said.
One of the scholarship beneficiaries, Ajuo Abdulhakeem, an ND II student, described the training as a valuable opportunity.
Abdulhakeem said that the programme had equipped him with knowledge of solar energy systems, their production, installation and maintenance.
He expressed appreciation for the scholarship, noting that the country’s economic situation made financing education difficult.
He expressed willingness to give back to the institute by sharing his acquired knowledge with upcoming students.
“On my free days, I can take some time to come back here and share part of the knowledge I have acquired with upcoming students,” Abdulhakeem said.
Another scholarship beneficiary, Opaleye Michael, an ND II student from Abeokuta, said that the programme had equipped him with practical knowledge of solar energy installation and maintenance.
Michael commended the institute’s management and instructors for providing a conducive learning environment and imparting relevant technical skills.
‘’I will recommend the institution to prospective students interested in technical education, ‘’ he said.
Similarly, Abdulrasheed Ainde, another student from Abeokuta, said he hoped to establish a renewable energy centre in Omi-Adio, Ibadan.
Ainde said that the proposed centre would educate young people on green energy, solar technology and renewable energy resources.
‘’The initiative will also promote awareness of renewable energy and ways to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels, ‘’ he said.
Ainde expressed hope of securing the necessary support and resources to realise the project. (NAN)
M.P
Tags: Asteven Energy Institute Renewable Energy Centre