FG extends solar power to 24 tertiary institutions — Education Minister
…Adds eight more under energising education project
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Federal Government has successfully delivered solar energy infrastructure to 24 federal tertiary institutions across Nigeria, as part of its ongoing Energising Education Project (EEP), aimed at improving electricity access and enhancing academic environments.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, shared this development during the Collaboration Agreement Signing Ceremony in Abuja, where eight additional universities were formally included in Phase 4 of the national initiative.
As part of the day’s activities, Dr. Alausa toured the solar power facility at the University of Abuja, which has now been renamed Yakubu Gowon University. The university campus is now powered by a solar farm comprising 6,000 photovoltaic panels, generating approximately 3.3 megawatts of electricity daily. This capacity is sufficient to supply uninterrupted power to the entire institution.
“This project ensures continuous, 24-hour electricity for our institutions,” Dr. Alausa stated. “It enables more robust academic engagement, supports laboratories and libraries round the clock, and significantly improves the learning and living conditions of both students and staff.”
He also reflected on the wider economic implications of the project, noting, “Every campus functions as a mini-community. With reliable power, you open the door to substantial economic activity.”
Dr. Alausa encouraged Vice Chancellors of the participating institutions to take a proactive approach to preserving the impact of the solar infrastructure. “I urge Vice Chancellors to adopt creative and forward-thinking strategies that will sustain this initiative over the long term,” he said, reaffirming the government’s pledge that by 2027, every federal tertiary institution in Nigeria will be equipped with renewable energy systems.
Speaking at the same event, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, provided updates on the broader reach of the EEP. He noted that the first three phases of the project have already improved the lives of over 600,000 students and 50,000 academic and administrative staff.
Aliyu also confirmed that more than 100 megawatts of solar power have been generated nationwide through the EEP, with two federal teaching hospitals also benefiting from clean energy systems through the Universal Public Health Project component of the programme.
The eight universities newly added to Phase 4 of the Energising Education Project are: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Federal University, Wukari; Federal University, Dutse; University of Benin; University of Ibadan; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; and the University of Lagos.
