Power Up Nigeria Initiative
The Power Up Nigeria Initiative (PUNI) is a national empowerment and energy-access program under the Pabio Stone Foundation (PSF), created to expand opportunities for young Nigerians and underserved communities through clean energy access, technical skills development, and enterprise support.
The initiative responds directly to two of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges:
Unreliable access to electricity, especially for rural communities and small businesses.
Limited youth employment opportunities in the rapidly growing renewable energy sector.
Power Up Nigeria builds a bridge between these challenges by empowering citizens with the skills, tools, and enabling environment they need to power their lives, businesses, and dreams.
Goals of the Power Up Nigeria Initiative
To expand access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy across Nigeria
To empower youths with professional skills in solar technology, energy installation, repairs, and micro-grid solutions
To support small businesses (MSMEs) with energy that boosts productivity
To promote clean, renewable energy adoption
To create employment and entrepreneurship pathways in the energy sector
To improve living standards through community-based energy programs
Core Components of PUNI
1. Youth Skills Training in Renewable Energy
PUNI provides training and certification for young people in:
Solar installation and maintenance
Inverter technology
Mini-grid design and deployment
Energy audits and diagnostics
Battery and storage technologies
Clean energy entrepreneurship
This equips thousands of youths with practical skills for employment or self-employment.
2. Energy for MSMEs (Small Businesses)
Many small business owners struggle because electricity is expensive or inconsistent.
PUNI supports them through:
Solar kits
Mini power hubs
Subsidized solar systems
Energy access grants
Training on energy-efficient business operations
This improves business productivity and boosts local economies.
3. Community Energy Access Programs
Through pilot projects in underserved communities, PUNI partners with local leaders to deploy:
Solar home systems
Community charging stations
Solar-powered boreholes
Clean energy solutions for schools and healthcare centers
These projects improve quality of life and strengthen local development.
4. National Clean Energy Awareness Campaigns
To promote a national shift to renewable energy, PUNI conducts awareness programs on:
The benefits of clean energy
Energy conservation
Environmental sustainability
Climate-resilient development
The initiative helps Nigerians understand how renewable energy supports healthier communities and long-term growth.
5. Power Up Innovation Labs (Future Component)
In alignment with PSF’s vision for long-term empowerment, PUNI will establish innovation labs focused on:
Energy technology research
Youth-led clean-tech startups
Low-cost energy innovation
Community-based renewable energy solutions
This will nurture a new generation of Nigerian innovators.
Why PUNI Matters
Electricity is not just power—
it is opportunity, dignity, and economic freedom.
PUNI directly addresses systemic energy gaps while creating employment and reducing poverty. It offers a sustainable pathway for:
Youth empowerment
MSME growth
Climate-friendly development
Community transformation
The initiative also aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially:
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 13: Climate Action
The Role of the Pabio Stone Foundation (PSF)
PSF serves as the backbone of the initiative through:
Program design
Funding support
Stakeholder engagement
Training coordination
Community partnerships
Impact monitoring
The Foundation leverages its experience in community development to ensure the program delivers real, measurable results.
A Step Toward a Brighter Nigeria
Power Up Nigeria is more than an energy project.
It is a national empowerment movement helping Nigerians:
Build businesses
Improve livelihoods
Gain new skills
Reduce dependence on fossil fuels
Promote innovation
Drive inclusive development
By lighting up communities—and the minds of young people—PUNI supports a future where every Nigerian can reach their full potential.