Lagos: The MOMAS Group has begun construction of a €3 million electrotechnology training centre in Ogun to boost the skilled workforce and expand opportunities in the power and renewable energy sectors.
Its Group Chairman, Mr Kola Balogun, who laid the foundation at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Technical Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) Centre for Electrotechnology on Thursday, said the project reflects MOMAS’ long-standing commitment to youth development.
The project is funded through the African Union, in partnership with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA) programme.
MOMAS secured the grant under SIFA’s Funding Window 1, which supports large-scale skills development projects.
He said support from NEPAD and the German government would enable the acquisition of advanced training equipment and expand programme offerings.
“The centre will provide the needed skills for installing solar panels, solar batteries and energy storage systems, thereby complementing the significant investments already made by the government in renewable energy,” he said.
According to him, this opens pathways for Nigerian technicians to work globally.
He noted that the construction is expected to be completed within a year.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Mr Adamson Ayinde, commended the project as a model of private-sector leadership in addressing workforce gaps, particularly within the power sector.
“This project directly responds to critical manpower shortages in smart electricity metering, electrical wiring and maintenance, renewable energy technologies, and electrotechnology safety practices,” Ayinde said.
He described Balogun’s efforts as “patriotism, foresight and commitment to national development,” commending MOMAS’ willingness to exceed the required 10 per cent counterpart funding contribution.
Ayinde added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s goal of building a technologically competent workforce and reducing reliance on foreign artisans.
He also described the centre as “a promise to youths”, adding that it represents opportunity, empowerment and hope for young Nigerians seeking employment or entrepreneurship.
“Today’s ceremony marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward a skilled and globally competitive workforce,” he stated.
Similarly, AUDA-NEPAD representative Mr Gemechu Berhanu-Kusa said the centre symbolises the birth of a transformative training hub where young Africans can acquire life-changing skills.
“This centre is a bold step in our shared mission to empower Africa’s youth.
“Technical and vocational education is not a second choice, but a first-class pathway to opportunity, dignity and sustainable livelihoods,” Berhanu-Kusa said.
He noted that the centre’s focus on electrotechnology and renewable energy, particularly solar photovoltaic systems, positions it to address both youth unemployment and Nigeria’s energy challenges.
According to him, the institution will develop cutting-edge curricula aligned with national standards, provide scholarships and ensure inclusivity while supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In her goodwill message, the president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, applauded MOMAS for its vision, describing the initiative as timely.
“The nation is in desperate need of skilled manpower to drive infrastructure development, industrial growth and technological advancement,” she said.
She called for strong collaboration from the Lagos State Government, the Federal Government and stakeholders in the engineering and energy sectors to maximise the centre’s impact.
“The NSE fully supports the MOMAS Group, recognising the immense value this project will bring to the Nigerian economy,” Oguntala added.
Meanwhile, the Group Managing Director of MOMAS, Mr Hammed Abiodun, said the recognition by the German government is a testament to the company’s long-standing commitment to adding value to society, especially the youth.
Abiodun emphasised that the future lies in skill acquisition, citing global trends and examples from countries such as China.
“Our goal is to harness Nigeria’s large youth population by training and reshaping them to contribute meaningfully to national development,” he added.
