Germany, EU and Siemens Energy Strengthen Partnership to Advance Nigeria’s Energy Workforce

During the German-Nigerian Business Day in Lagos, partners from the Nigerian Government, the German Government, the European Union, the private sector, and development organisations came together for the signing of the Siemens Energy Education & Development Initiative (SEED). The following day, the initiative was officially launched in Abeokuta, Ogun State, marking another important milestone in Nigeria’s energy transition and workforce development efforts.

SEED is a strong example of how infrastructure investment, skills development, and private sector engagement can be connected to create sustainable impact. As Nigeria advances major investments in its power sector under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), the availability of highly qualified local talent is becoming increasingly important to ensure long-term sustainability and operational success.

Building a Skilled Energy Workforce

The initiative aims to strengthen Nigeria’s energy workforce by developing a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of supporting both on-grid and off-grid energy systems. Over the next five years, approximately 6,000 energy professionals, including young people and women, are expected to be trained across ten training sites nationwide.

Participants will receive internationally recognised certification aligned with Nigerian, ECOWAS, and European standards, ensuring that the skills acquired remain relevant, transferable, and future-oriented. By addressing critical workforce gaps in the energy sector, the initiative is expected to contribute to faster project delivery, improved operational efficiency, and increased investor confidence.

In line with the European Union’s Global Gateway Strategy, SEED also supports stronger private sector participation and creates opportunities for European companies seeking to expand investment and operations in Nigeria and the wider ECOWAS region.

Supporting Nigeria’s Energy Transition

The initiative builds on structures and partnerships developed under the Nigeria Energy Support Programme (NESP), leveraging an existing network of training institutions across Nigeria to ensure rapid and scalable implementation. In collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), SEED will further support the country’s growing off-grid energy market by training certified professionals for mini-grid, hybrid, and renewable energy systems.

Dr. Markus Wagner, Country Director of GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, highlighted the significance of combining infrastructure investments with human capital development:

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s power sector in a sustainable and lasting way. By combining infrastructure investments with skills development, we are ensuring that progress is not only achieved but sustained. Through initiatives like SEED, we are investing in people, creating opportunities, and building the expertise needed to drive the energy transition forward. Together with our partners, we remain committed to supporting Nigeria in delivering a reliable, inclusive, and future-ready energy system.”

Beyond infrastructure development, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to investing in people, strengthening local content, supporting long-term sustainability, and building trusted partnerships for Nigeria’s energy future.

A Collaborative Public-Private Initiative

SEED is a flagship public-private capacity development initiative co-implemented by Siemens Energy, FGN Power Company, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under the third phase of the Nigeria Energy Support Programme (NESP).

NESP is co-funded by the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power.

Key partners supporting the initiative include GIZ, Siemens Energy, AHK Nigeria, Eurocham, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Bureau Veritas, Apave, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), and Nigerian Chambers of Commerce.

Driving Sustainable Development Through Partnership

Together, these efforts demonstrate a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector, supporting economic growth, advancing workforce development, and promoting a sustainable and inclusive energy future.