Sahara Power Group, a leading privately owned power company in Sub-Saharan Africa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) to enhance human capital in the power sector through advanced engineering education and cross-industry collaboration.
Sahara Power announced this in a press statement seen by BusinessDay.
According to the statement, the collaboration aims to build capacity at PAU’s School of Science and Technology by sharing knowledge, insights, and opportunities for exchange programs between Sahara Power and PAU.
This initiative is expected to boost the empirical capacity and impact needed to innovate and sustain the power sector.
Anthony Youdeowei, managing director of Sahara Power Group, described the partnership as a prime example of “town-gown relations” and expressed optimism about the collaboration.
He mentioned that the partnership would start with Egbin Power Plc, Sahara’s Power Generation Company, and extend to other entities like Ikeja Electric and First Independent Power Limited. He emphasized Sahara Power’s commitment to partnerships that promote valuable and sustainable energy solutions.
Christian Bolu, head of the department of Mechanical Engineering at PAU, highlighted that the partnership would give students an external perspective and emphasize sustainable business practices to solve real-world challenges in the power sector.
“This is definitely an opportunity for Pan-Atlantic University to not only benefit from the resources that the Sahara Power Group will provide in the collaborative partnership, but also, while it serves as a chance for us in the academia, with support from Sahara Power, to address challenges faced within the industry,” he said.g
Speaking on the details of the agreement, Henry Ajibola, head, Talent Management, Sahara Power Group, stated, “We are very confident that this collaboration between Sahara Power Group and Pan-Atlantic University is the step in the right direction. Having Sahara Power employees go to Pan-Atlantic University as adjunct lecturers means a transference of practical knowledge as well as experience.”
He further emphasized that the collaboration is expected to create a mutually beneficial relationship between academia and industry, advancing engineering education and practice in Nigeria.
Nkiru Ukachukwu, director of Alumni and Internship at PAU, expressed anticipation for the partnership’s impact on students’ expertise, especially regarding functional knowledge of the power sector and its transformation. She predicted that the collaboration would help develop a pipeline of young engineers equipped to address Nigeria’s unique power challenges.
“This partnership, is one of the vehicles for keeping employees agile and adaptable to unfolding trends”, Bethel Obioma, head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, added.
Sahara Power Group operates Egbin Power, the largest thermal plant in Sub-Saharan Africa, Ikeja Electric, Nigeria’s largest distribution company, and First Independent Power Limited (FIPL). Through these entities, Sahara Power contributes 17% of Nigeria’s power generation and distribution, positioning it as the country’s leading power company.
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