Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management and automation, has restated its resolve to take clean energy to some of Nigeria’s most rural areas. This move is aimed at empowering more Nigerians, especially those not connected to the grid.

Ifeanyi Odoh, head, Offer Marketing and Business Development, Global Strategy, Schneider Electric, said the company is doing this to improve the quality of life and change the way people do business in those areas. At a press conference in Lagos, he said the drive to light up rural areas in Nigeria has so far been extended to states like Osun, Edo, Gombe, Plateau, Niger among others, using multiple mini grids.

Apart from the electrification of rural areas, Schneider has engaged in a number of ground breaking projects across Nigeria. “Broadly speaking, these cut across adding value to data centres (cloud service providers), adding value to agriculture through the provision of off grid power to schools, clinics and other establishments.

“We have been in the forefront of providing training to hundreds of young Nigerians who are key to the electricity value chain in Nigeria. We have a strong focus on training/capacity building, and well over 140,000 people have been trained globally by us,” he said.

On her part, Viviane Mike-Eze, manager, Marketing Communications of the company, said dedicated renewable energy courses and training equipment have been put together to ensure that the trainees kept pace with global happenings and developments in the energy ecosystem. “We have set up dedicated programmes to support young teenage girls, including entrepreneurship and renewable energy courses.

“We are leveraging partnerships with credible institutions like the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, NAPTIN. Flexible training programme in Electrical distribution is being offered with focus on practical experience. Since 2015, the company has been empowering aspiring entrepreneur through business management courses and opportunities to join Schneider Electric Retail network,” she said.

– Oct. 5, 2018 @ 14:49 GMT |