As part of its global commitment to youth education and entrepreneurship, the Schneider Electric Foundation has provided industry-specific training equipment to the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), situated in the Imo State in Nigeria. The initiative aims to equip students with practical, energy-related technical skills aligned with global industry standards.

The donation is part of Schneider Electric’s broader Access to Education training programme in West Africa, which has seen the company’s surpassing its goal of training one million people in energy management by 2025, a cornerstone of its commitment to inclusive energy transition and youth empowerment.

It also follows a similar donation earlier this year to three technical colleges, the Government Technical College Agidingbi, Government Technical College Ikotun, and Government Technical College Ikorodu which form part of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB).

At FUTO, students in electrical and engineering fields will now have access to customised didactic benches covering domestic wiring and industrial motor starter applications. These benches provide hands-on training opportunities that bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world industry practice.

“Universities play a critical role in developing Nigeria’s future workforce. 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,” says Funmilayo Olakitan, Schneider Electric Foundation Delegate for West Africa.

West African expansion

The strategic partnership with FUTO also expands the Schneider Electric Foundation’s footprint beyond Lagos into eastern Nigeria. With universities offering longer, more comprehensive programmes of study, Schneider Electric sees FUTO as a vital partner in shaping engineers and entrepreneurs who will drive the energy transition.

Alongside the equipment, Schneider Electric engineers also facilitated intensive training for university instructor; the Foundation has also committed to ongoing refresher training, underscoring its long-term approach of continuity and sustainability rather than one-off projects.

“Our vision is not simply to donate equipment, but to invest in the future of Nigerian youth, by embedding industry knowledge into education, we are empowering the next generation to take their place in the continent’s energy transition,” concludes Olakitan.