By modupe Atoyeje
President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria can take the lead in Africa and even the rest of the world in science, technology, cutting-edge manufacturing, and other spheres of human pursuits with the composite ingenuity of the youth.
The President urged Nigerians not to relent in applying the resources of their talents in all area, as his administration remains committed to providing support and giving flight to their dreams.
A press statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, informed that Tinubu spoke on Friday, while warmly congratulating Mr Ridwan AbdulRazaq, a renewable energy expert, on winning the 2024 Prince’s Trust Global Sustainability Award.
The award winning Ridwan Abdulrazaq through his ground-breaking work designing and delivering solar energy systems, especially in off-grid rural areas, the young Nigerian Global Sustainability Award winner is contributing into bringing light and power to countless Nigerians.
Ridwan a 27 years old Nigerian who has always aspired to getting a green job after graduating struggled well and secured the first position in the just concluded Renewable Energy programme, he is now a key figure at market-leading Starsight Energy, working on energy auditing and solar system design. ‘The Get Into Programme led me to secure my dream job, providing not just sustenance but also fulfilment,’ he says.
He has a B.Tech in project management technology, with further studies in renewable energy but, despite his qualifications, he couldn’t find an opening. ‘Until 2021, my dream of entering the renewable energy sector faced persistent hurdles,’ Ridwan explains. ‘However, in that year, I discovered the Get Into Programme by Prince’s Trust International, thanks to Field of Skills and Dreams (FSD). This program became the turning point in realizing my aspirations.’
The Get Into programme is a free, employer-led training course. In oil-rich Nigeria, the programme focuses on supporting the youths to enter and thrive in jobs in the green economy, and the content varies depending on the sector – a mixture of general employment opportunities skills and technical, sector-specific know-how, followed by a work experience placement.
Ridwan’s designs are renowned for their ingenuity and sensitivity to local circumstances. His designs draw on whatever resources are available locally, prioritising affordability and accessibility. These are all key considerations, especially in low-income rural regions.
Notable contributions of Abdulrazaq that brought him into spot light and helped him badge the merit award includes his assessment of energy consumption and identifies inefficiencies in industrial, commercial and residential settings. By pinpointing areas of waste and suggesting improvements, Ridwan’s audits, which are celebrated for their precision, help enhance efficiency and lower costs.
Ridwan’s dual efforts aim to help reduce the strain on the overstretched national grid, as well as contributing to diversifying the energy mix in Nigeria, which has historically been heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Renewable energy is still a young, emerging sector here, but it is one that is growing fast and has immense potential.
He is keen to play his part in building a resilient and sustainable energy system that drives economic growth while also lowering carbon emissions. ‘From a young age, I harboured a deep curiosity about energy conservation and innovative solutions, ultimately shaping my career in renewable energy,’ he explains. ‘I recognize its potential to bolster a nation’s economy in today’s world.’