Lagos Solar Energy Transition Faces Technician Skills Gap

Lagos is undergoing a significant transition from petrol and diesel generators to solar energy, but a recent labour-market assessment indicates a critical skills gap, with only 58% of technicians trained in solar-related fields. This assessment was part of a four-month research project examining the shift from generator-based livelihoods to solar employment, presented at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos.

The research, conducted by Dr. Eghosa Igudia of De Montfort University and Dr. Tim Kelsall of ODI Global/African Cities Research Consortium, highlights that most solar skills development occurs outside formal training systems. Approximately 35% of trained technicians learned from other technicians, while 36% acquired skills through apprenticeships.

The study found that 22% of participants had only undergone short training lasting between two and seven days, raising concerns about the adequacy of such training for complex solar installations. The informal sector plays a crucial role in supplying labor to the solar industry, but the quality of training remains a significant issue.