\n
Daniel Adaji<\/p>\n
The Federal Government has powered 24 federal tertiary institutions, including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with solar energy as part of the Energising Education Project (EEP) under President Bola Tinubu\u2019s administration.<\/p>\n
Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, announced this during a collaboration agreement signing ceremony with vice chancellors of the beneficiary institutions in Abuja. He described the initiative as a step toward sustainable power solutions in the education sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project brings continuous 24-hour electricity to our institutions. It allows for increased academic activity, powers laboratories and libraries throughout the day and night, and improves living and learning conditions for both students and faculty,\u201d Alausa said.<\/p>\n
The project is backed by the Renewable Infrastructure Fund created by the Tinubu administration to support sector-wide development. Eight more universities have also signed up to join Phase 4 of the project.<\/p>\n
Among the latest beneficiaries 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 UNILAG.<\/p>\n
The initiative comes amid long-standing concerns over power shortages that have plagued Nigeria\u2019s tertiary institutions for years. Many campuses have operated on costly, polluting diesel generators, with frequent blackouts disrupting academic schedules, research, and hospital services.<\/p>\n
Just recently, the federal government approved a N10bn solar system project for Aso Rock, raising questions about energy priorities. The rollout of solar energy in educational institutions is seen by stakeholders as a more inclusive investment in national infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The minister earlier inspected the newly commissioned solar farm at Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja), which now runs on 6,000 photovoltaic panels generating 3.3 megawatts of electricity\u2014enough to keep the campus powered round the clock.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith constant power supply, you unleash high economic activity,\u201d Alausa added, calling on university administrators to ensure sustainability through innovation.<\/p>\n
Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), said the project has already impacted over 600,000 students and 50,000 academic staff. So far, it has delivered over 100 megawatts of electricity across campuses and teaching hospitals nationwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat you are seeing here is one of our interventions in the education sector, and the aim is to ensure that universities have a sustainable and affordable electricity supply,\u201d Aliyu said.<\/p>\n
Phase 3 of the project, which includes electrification of eight more universities and one additional teaching hospital, is nearly completed and expected to be commissioned within two months.<\/p>\n
With implementation progressing, the education ministry projects that all federal tertiary institutions will run on renewable energy before the end of 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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