Schneider Electric Foundation has expanded its technical education footprint in Nigeria with a new partnership aimed at strengthening energy-related training at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). The move is part of the company’s wider strategy to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting Africa’s accelerating energy transition.
As part of the collaboration, the foundation donated industry-grade training equipment to FUTO’s Electrical Engineering Department, including customised didactic benches used for domestic wiring and industrial motor starter applications. The tools are designed to give students hands-on exposure to technologies widely used across the global energy sector, an area in which Nigerian institutions often lag due to limited access to modern laboratory infrastructure.
The initiative forms a key component of Schneider Electric’s Access to Education programme in West Africa, through which the company has already surpassed its target of training one million people in energy management ahead of its 2025 deadline. The programme underpins Schneider Electric’s broader commitment to inclusive energy transition and youth empowerment across the continent.
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It also follows similar donations earlier this year to three Lagos-based technical colleges, Government Technical College Agidingbi, Government Technical College Ikotun and Government Technical College Ikorodu, under the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board. With the expansion to Imo State, the company is widening its reach to tertiary institutions offering longer and more specialised engineering curricula.
FUTO officials say the equipment arrives at a time when Nigeria urgently needs industry-ready graduates who can adapt to rapidly evolving energy technologies. “This contribution is helping bridge the gap between theoretical instruction and industrial practice, significantly enhancing the hands-on learning experience for our students and technical personnel,” said Matthew Olubiwe, head of FUTO’s electrical engineering department.
Schneider Electric Foundation executives say the partnership is central to preparing young Nigerians for both domestic and international opportunities in the power and energy sector.
“Universities play a critical role in developing Nigeria’s future workforce,” said Funmilayo Olakitan, the foundation’s delegate for West Africa. “By partnering with FUTO, we are ensuring that students gain exposure to the same tools and technologies used in today’s energy industry. This positions them not only for local employment but also for global competitiveness.”
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The deal also included intensive training for university instructors, ensuring the equipment can be fully integrated into the school’s curriculum and utilised in line with international standards.
Schneider Electric is positioning the partnership as part of a long-term investment in youth development. As Africa expands both conventional and renewable energy infrastructure, demand for skilled technicians and engineers is expected to grow sharply. “Our vision is not simply to donate equipment, but to invest in the future of Nigerian youth,” Olakitan said. “By embedding industry knowledge into education, we are empowering the next generation to take their place in the continent’s energy transition.”
The foundation said additional collaborations with other universities and technical institutions across West Africa are expected in the coming year.
