The Sahara Power Technical and Innovation Academy (SPTIA), in collaboration with Egbin Power Plc, has launched an initiative aimed at equipping young Nigerian engineers with the technical and operational skills needed to support sustainable electricity generation in the country.

The Academy has admitted 50 graduate engineers into a 10-month training programme that combines classroom sessions with practical exposure across major generation assets operated by the companies.

According to the organisers, participants will undergo intensive training in plant operations, maintenance systems and industry best practices, with direct exposure to real-time power generation activities designed to prepare them for careers within Nigeria’s electricity industry.

The programme will also focus on operational safety through mandatory safety modules, practical simulations and scenario-based exercises intended to instil a strong safety culture within plant environments.

After the programme, outstanding trainees are expected to be deployed across Sahara Power Group’s operations, including Egbin Power, First Independent Power Limited (FIPL) and upstream businesses, while others would join the broader electricity labour market to strengthen technical manpower within the sector.

Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina, described the Academy as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s energy future and a response to the growing manpower needs of the power industry.

“We are committed to powering Nigeria not just through infrastructure, but through people. This Academy reflects our belief that the future of sustainable energy delivery must be driven by skilled, young professionals who understand the local operating environment,” he said.

Adesina added that Egbin Power and FIPL were selected as key partners because of their technical expertise and operational performance within the power generation segment.

“Egbin Power and FIPL provide the ideal platforms for this initiative, given their track record of operational excellence and technical depth. By leveraging these assets, we are creating a pipeline of engineers who are not only technically sound but also industry-ready from the outset,” he further stated.

He, therefore, urged the trainees to embrace teamwork and develop innovative problem-solving skills that can contribute to national development and the advancement of Nigeria’s electricity sector.