NASENI Renewable Energy Industrial Park Targets 50,000 Jobs As Construction Work Gathers Momentum

Construction works at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI)’s Renewable Energy Industrial Park in Gora, Nasarawa State, is gathering momentum, with officials expressing optimism that the project will significantly transform Nigeria’s energy landscape, deepen local manufacturing capacity and create thousands of jobs across the renewable energy value chain.

The project, which sits on a 40-hectare expanse of land, is being developed as a multi-energy industrial hub designed to support the domestic production of critical renewable energy components including solar panels, mounting structures, wind systems and biomass technologies. When completed, it is expected to reduce the country’s dependence on imported renewable energy equipment, curb capital flight and conserve scarce foreign exchange.

The Renewable Energy Industrial Park is one of NASENI’s flagship interventions aimed at driving Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy sources while also addressing the long-standing challenges of energy access and industrial underdevelopment.

Speaking during an inspection visit to the project site, the Special Adviser to the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI on Renewable Energy, Engr. Suyud Abdullahi Muhammad, who also serves as the Gora Project Manager, said the initiative reflects a deliberate effort by the Federal Government to broaden Nigeria’s renewable energy portfolio beyond solar.

“There will be a wind assembly plant, small hydro power equipment production, and solar panel manufacturing; renewable energy goes beyond just solar, and this park reflects that broader vision,” he said.

He explained that while solar energy has dominated Nigeria’s renewable energy conversation in recent years, the NASENI Renewable Energy Industrial Park is designed to harness multiple sources of renewable energy, thereby strengthening energy resilience and ensuring a more diversified energy mix.

According to Engr. Muhammad, the Park will serve as a one-stop hub for renewable energy technologies, integrating manufacturing, research, training and deployment under a single ecosystem. He noted that Nigeria currently spends a significant amount of foreign exchange on the importation of renewable energy equipment, a trend he described as unsustainable, especially in the face of growing demand for energy solutions across households, businesses and public institutions.

“The essence of this project is to reverse that trend. By producing these components locally, we will not only reduce import dependence but also build local capacity, create jobs and stimulate economic growth,” he said.

Engr. Muhammad further stated that the initiative aligns with NASENI’s broader mandate of promoting science, technology and engineering as drivers of national development, adding that the Agency is committed to ensuring that Nigeria moves from being a consumer nation to a producer nation.

Energy poverty remains a major challenge in Nigeria, with millions of citizens lacking access to reliable electricity.  He cited statistics indicating that over 80 million Nigerians are currently off-grid, while many of those connected to the national grid continue to experience erratic and insufficient power supply.

He said the NASENI Renewable Energy Industrial Park is expected to play a crucial role in addressing this gap by boosting the availability and affordability of renewable energy solutions. “With this kind of infrastructure in place, renewable energy products will become more accessible and affordable to Nigerians. That is how we can begin to tackle energy poverty in a sustainable way,” he said.

Industry experts have long argued that decentralised renewable energy solutions such as solar mini-grids, small hydro systems and wind power installations offer viable alternatives to Nigeria’s overstretched national grid. The Gora project, according to NASENI officials, is strategically positioned to support the scale-up of such solutions across the country.

Beyond energy access, the project is also expected to drive industrialisation by creating a robust value chain that spans manufacturing, installation, maintenance and research. The employment potential of the project is substantial, with projections indicating that it will generate about 2,000 direct jobs and up to 50,000 indirect jobs upon completion.

“This initiative will localise the renewable energy value chain. Instead of relying on imports, Nigeria will begin to produce and eventually export these technologies, starting with the West African market and scaling up to the rest of the continent,” Engr. Muhammad said.

He added that the ripple effects of the project will extend to multiple sectors, including logistics, construction, education and services, thereby contributing to overall economic development. A visit to the site revealed a high level of activity, with dozens of contractors working simultaneously on different components of the project.

NASENI officials disclosed that about 35 contracting firms have been engaged to handle various aspects of the project, ensuring that construction progresses at an accelerated pace. The infrastructure under development includes Multipurpose Industrial Halls for manufacturing, a state-of-the art Research and Development (R&D) Centre, a Knowledge Park, an Energy Centre, Workshops and testing facilities. Other components include a Researchers’ Lodge, Studio Apartments, a Clinic, a Restaurant, a Wellness Centre and Solar Farm.

In addition, supporting infrastructure such as internal road networks, drainage systems, a gatehouse, perimeter fencing and a drivers’ lounge are also being constructed to ensure the functionality and security of the Park.

The Project Manager explained that the inclusion of residential and welfare facilities within the park is aimed at creating a conducive environment for researchers, engineers and other professionals who will work on-site. “We are building a place where innovation can thrive, where researchers can collaborate with industry players, and where ideas can be translated into commercially viable products,” he said.

The project is being executed in collaboration with private sector players, academic institutions and other key stakeholders. The partnership model is in line with NASENI’s “3Cs” principle of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation, which seeks to ensure that innovations are not only developed but also brought to market.

“Government alone cannot drive this kind of initiative. That is why we are working with the private sector and academia to ensure that the project is sustainable and commercially viable in the long term,” he said. Analysts say such collaborations are critical to the success of industrial projects, particularly in the renewable energy sector, where technology is constantly evolving and market dynamics can be complex.

The Gora Renewable Energy Industrial Park is also seen as a strategic component of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic diversification, infrastructure development and job creation. By focusing on renewable energy, the project aligns with global efforts to transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, while also positioning Nigeria to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the green economy.

Experts believe that with the right policy support and effective implementation, Nigeria has the potential to become a regional hub for renewable energy manufacturing and export as the Gora project will serve as a catalyst for such transformation, presenting a significant market for renewable energy technologies in West Africa.

“Once we begin production here, the next step is to scale up and tap into regional markets. There is a huge demand for renewable energy solutions across Africa, and Nigeria is well-positioned to lead in this space,” he said.

For communities around Gora and the wider Nasarawa State, the project also holds the promise of socio-economic transformation through job creation, infrastructure development and increased economic activity. Local residents expressed optimism that the Park will open up new opportunities for employment and business, while also improving access to energy and other social amenities.

For NASENI, the Renewable Energy Industrial Park represents more than just a construction project; it is a bold statement of intent to reposition Nigeria as a hub for innovation, manufacturing and sustainable energy development. The project reinforces NASENI’s goal of making Nigeria a hub for renewable energy manufacturing, green innovation and circular economy solutions.