The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s power and education sectors with the inauguration of a Siemens Energy training facility in Abeokuta and the release of approved university cut-off marks for the 2026 admission cycle.
Under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), the newly inaugurated Siemens Energy Education and Development (SEED) facility is expected to train no fewer than 6,000 energy professionals over the next five years to support the modernisation of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Abeokuta, the Director of Human Resources Management at the Federal Ministry of Power, Samaila Nasiru, described the initiative as a major investment in Nigeria’s energy future.
He noted that while the government was making significant investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure nationwide, sustainable progress would depend on developing skilled local manpower capable of operating and maintaining modern power systems.
“While we are making critical investments in grid transmission and distribution capacity nationwide under Phase One, we recognise that infrastructure alone cannot solve our energy challenges,” Nasiru said.
“Although modernising the grid is essential, it is the empowerment of our people that makes such progress sustainable.”
According to him, the programme will equip participants with internationally recognised certifications through partnerships with professional bodies such as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the FGN Power Company, Kenny Anuwe, said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s long-term vision for power sector reform and local capacity development.
“Today’s event is not only about the launch of a training initiative. It is about investing in people,” he said.
“This five-year programme aims to train 6,000 energy professionals at multiple Nigerian training sites. By doing so, we create jobs, strengthen economic opportunities, improve operational efficiency, and position Nigeria as a regional hub for technical excellence within the energy sector.”
The Managing Director of Siemens Energy in Nigeria, Sheu Suleman, said the SEED initiative would contribute significantly to President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda in the energy sector.
Training centres are expected to operate across several locations including Abeokuta, Offa, Ibadan, Ayede, Birnin Kebbi, and Sokoto.
Meanwhile, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the minimum UTME cut-off marks approved by universities for the 2026 admission exercise.
The cut-off marks were unveiled during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.
Pan-Atlantic University emerged with the highest minimum benchmark at 220, while several top institutions including the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, and Covenant University fixed their minimum score at 200.
Lagos State University and Lagos State University of Science and Technology adopted 195, while Lagos State University of Education fixed its cut-off at 185.
Other major institutions including Ahmadu Bello University, University of Abuja, University of Ilorin, and the Nigeria Police Academy pegged their minimum score at 180.
JAMB clarified that the approved figures represent baseline requirements for admission consideration, adding that institutions still reserve the right to set higher benchmarks for competitive courses such as Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering.
The board explained that the policy was aimed at ensuring flexibility while maintaining minimum academic standards across tertiary institutions nationwide.
The release of the cut-off marks officially signals the beginning of the 2026 admission process, with universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education expected to commence post-UTME screening and admission procedures in the coming weeks.
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