United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Power Africa have launched the “Growing Green Jobs for Women in Nigeria” initiative to foster gender equality and promote clean energy solutions.
The initiative will equip about 500 women and youths with the skills and opportunities to secure better jobs in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The senior media and public affairs specialist of the United States (US) Department of State at the Embassy in Nigeria, Aishah Gambari, said this in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP Friday.
Gambari said historically, women have been underrepresented in energy-related professions in Nigeria, and their presence in leadership or decision-making roles remains limited.
She said the Powering Jobs Census 2022 revealed a stark contrast in the distribution of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) positions (8 percent), compared to non-STEM roles (64 percent) within the Nigerian workforce.
“To address these challenges and align with Nigeria’s sustainability goals, Power Africa introduced the Growing Green Jobs for Women in Nigeria initiative to provide women and youth in Nigeria with a wide range of blended learning opportunities and resources to excel in a competitive energy sector workforce.
“These include professional and technical skills training such as solar installation, project management and communications skills, employability clinics, job fairs, job shadowing experiences, and mentorship programmes,” the statement reads in part.
USAID/Nigeria’s economic programme management specialist, Susan Oranye, said through the Energy Transition Plan, Nigeria seeks to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 and lift 100 million Nigerians out of energy poverty by substantially expanding clean energy generation.
