The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN was ably represented by the General Manager (Transmission) of Lagos Region at the Siemens Energy and Development (SEED) initiative launch ceremony held at the Siemens Energy Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) site in Abeokuta, Ogun State today 12th, May, 2026.
SEED is a flagship public-private capacity Development initiative co-implemented by Siemens Energy, FGN Power Company and Duetsche Gesellschaft fur internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under the Nigeria Energy Support Programme phase III (NESP III), co-implemented with the Federal Ministry of Power, and co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Speaking at the event, the MDCEO commended all stakeholders whose collective efforts brought to fruitation the SEED initiative. He stated that the initiative was timely and strategic for the power sector, as the nation's electricity sector is at a defining stage where the demands on the national grid continue to grow in complexity and scale. He added that TCN as part of the players in the power sector also requires a workforce equipped with contemporary technical knowledge to meet the growing demands.
He noted that TCN welcomes the SEED initiative as a meaningful investment in the people who will drive the next phase of growth within Nigeria's electricity value chain.
FGN Power Company MD/CEO, Mr. Kenny Amuwe, said the launch of the Siemens Energy Education and Development initiative marks a key step toward building a stronger, future-ready power sector in Nigeria. He noted the program is an investment in the Nigerians who will operate and sustain assets under the Presidential Power Initiative, stressing that infrastructure upgrades alone are insufficient without skilled personnel.
Amuwe stated that the five-year SEED program will train about 6,000 energy professionals to operate, maintain, and optimize the grid. He added that the initiative prioritizes local content by embedding technical skills and operational expertise within Nigeria’s workforce and institutions to ensure long-term sustainability.
Philip Knill, Director for Africa at Germany’s BMZ, said the German government is taking a whole-of-government approach to the Presidential Power Initiative, working jointly with Siemens and Nigerian partners. He noted that Germany and Nigeria, as giants in their regions, share strong economic opportunities and a responsibility to deliver results. The first phase has shown progress, and preparations for phase two are advanced on both the German and financing sides.
Knill stated that phase two targets 25 GW of transmission capacity, which would significantly leapfrog Nigeria’s energy system. He emphasized the need to mobilize the private sector and build long-term partnerships grounded in honesty and practical cooperation. With the EU’s Global Gateway backing the effort, he said Germany’s message is clear: stronger partnerships will unlock greater opportunities for Nigeria, Germany, and Europe.