Lagos’ Solar Boom Faces Skills Gap as Only 58% Technicians Trained
Researchers Warn of Workforce Disruption as Generator Economy Gives Way to Renewable Energy Bennett Oghifo Lagos’ fast-growing transition from petrol and diesel generators to solar energy is facing a critical
Lagos is rapidly shifting from petrol and diesel generators to solar energy, but this transition is encountering a significant skills gap. A recent labor-market assessment found that only 58 per cent of technicians in the state have received solar-related training. This has raised concerns about whether the existing technical workforce can meet the growing demand for renewable energy installations, maintenance, and related services.
The assessment, conducted as part of a four-month project, revealed that most solar skills development takes place outside formal education and vocational training systems, with informal channels being the primary source of skills acquisition. Most technicians acquire their skills through apprenticeships, on-the-job learning, or learning from other technicians.
While short courses offer basic knowledge, they may not be sufficient for sophisticated solar installations. The researchers recommend a skills-development framework that combines Lagos' established apprenticeship system with formal technical training, assessment, certification, and quality assurance. They emphasize that the transition from generators to solar presents both economic and livelihood opportunities for technicians and advocates for structured reskilling programs to help them transition into solar installation, maintenance, and other renewable-energy services.
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