The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, has trained and equipped 50 women in Kano with renewable energy skills under its “She-Powers Energy Initiative”.
NASENI, in collaboration with AMG Worldwide Ltd., presented certificates and NASENI-branded toolkits to the beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries had completed training in solar energy installation, maintenance and troubleshooting.
Speaking at the event, on Thursday, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Engr. Khalil Halilu, said the initiative was designed to create women entrepreneurs and renewable energy champions across communities.
Mr Halilu said the agency’s focus extended beyond technology to ensuring that innovation improved lives and created economic opportunities.
“When many people think about energy, they think about power plants, transmission lines and infrastructure. At NASENI, we think about people.
“Behind every solar panel is a household, behind every innovation is a livelihood, and behind every technology is an opportunity to improve lives,” Halilu said
He noted that the increasing demand for renewable energy solutions in Nigeria provided opportunities for job creation, business development and improved access to clean energy.
He explained that the programme was part of a nationwide women empowerment initiative, adding that thousands of women had benefited from the agency’s interventions in agriculture, drone technology and other sectors.
Mr Halilu said the certificates and provision of toolkits would enable the beneficiaries to immediately begin offering services without depending on borrowed equipment.
The NASENI boss also stressed the importance of empowering women in Northern communities, where cultural practices often restricted men from accessing certain parts of homes.
“Trained women could install and maintain energy systems in such areas while earning a livelihood”, Mr Halilu said.
Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State commended the initiative, describing it as a boost to women empowerment and skills acquisition.
Kabir-Yusuf, represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Women Education, Yasmin Mukhtar, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to human capital development.
He said the government had continued to support programmes that equipped women with technical and entrepreneurial skills.
Also, the Head Training Facilitator of AMG Worldwide Ltd., Munnir Ibrahim, said the training had transformed the beneficiaries from learners into professionals capable of delivering renewable energy solutions.
He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the knowledge gained to build businesses and support their communities.