The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has revealed that 24 federal tertiary institutions across Nigeria have been equipped with solar power facilities under the Energising Education Project spearheaded by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking at a ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday to formalise collaboration agreements with vice-chancellors of the beneficiary institutions, Dr Alausa also disclosed that eight additional universities are set to join the fourth phase of the transformative energy project.
Prior to the event, the Minister toured the solar installation at the University of Abuja, recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University, where he described the initiative as a landmark achievement for the education sector and the nation at large.
According to him, the university’s solar farm, comprising 6,000 photovoltaic panels, currently generates approximately 3.3 megawatts of electricity, enough to sustain continuous power supply across the campus.
Dr Alausa emphasised that this consistent energy availability would significantly boost academic activities, facilitate the uninterrupted operation of laboratories and libraries, and greatly enhance the overall learning and living experience for both students and staff.
He noted that the initiative would also stimulate economic growth within the campus communities, highlighting the broader social and commercial benefits of reliable electricity.
The Minister explained that the project is being supported by the Renewable Infrastructure Fund established under President Tinubu, which is intended to bolster infrastructure development across key sectors.
He called on university administrators to devise innovative strategies to maintain and sustain the infrastructure, and expressed the federal government’s goal of ensuring that every tertiary institution in Nigeria is powered by renewable energy by 2027.
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, stated that the project’s first three phases have positively impacted over 600,000 students and 50,000 academic staff nationwide.
Aliyu added that more than 100 megawatts of solar energy had already been deployed to power university campuses and affiliated teaching hospitals.
He affirmed that the current phase would extend this benefit to eight more universities and one additional teaching hospital, with completion and commissioning expected within the next two months.
The latest universities to benefit from the project include 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 University of Lagos
