FG COLLABORATES WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO INSTALL SOLAR MINI GRIDS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS- ACROSS THE COUNTRY 07-05-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Federal Government is collaborating with stakeholders to install solar mini grids in Tertiary institutions across the country under the “Energizing Education project” of President Bola Tinubu.
At the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU between the Ministry of Education and the Rural Electrification Agency in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa stated that 24 Federal universities had already benefitted from the project.
Dr. Alausa who explained that the solar mini grids would generate Twenty-four hour electricity, said the aim of the project was to address the electricity challenges in the Institutions for efficiency and productivity.
“Inadequate power supply had hampered innovation, disrupted academic calendars and weakened the functionality of research laboratories and ICT infrastructures. This partnership will change that. We are not only addressing energy poverty in our campuses but also advancing the energy transition goal of Nigeria”He said
He, therefore, challenged Vice Chancellors of universities on innovative and creative ways of sustaining the project, noting that before 2027, every tertiary institution would have renewable energy generation.
The Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency, Mr. Abba Aliyu stated that phase three of the project would soon be completed with Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja as one of the
benefiting universities and the construction of a world class training center to build capacity for the sustenance of the infrastructure.
“One of the usage of this world class training center is to ensure we deploy learning infrastructure in these universities for continuous talent development and capacity building.”Aliyu said
Mr. Aliyu said phase four of the project which would soon commence has eight tertiary institutions as beneficiaries.
They are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Federal University, Wukari, Taraba state.
Others are Federal University Dutse, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and University of Lagos.
The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu thanked the Federal Government and other stakeholders for the project and expressed optimism that it would boost the capacity of the universities to deliver research, training and generate more revenue.
The event also witnessed the signing of a Collaborative Agreement between the eight benefiting universities and the Rural Electrification Agency.