Federal Government Expands 24-Hour Solar Power to Eight More Universities Under Energising Education Project

Federal Government Expands 24-Hour Solar Power to Eight More Universities Under Energising Education Project

The Federal Ministry of Education has entered a new partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide 24-hour electricity supply to federal universities under the Federal Government’s Energising Education Programme (EEP).

The landmark agreement was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the University of Abuja, one of the institutions already benefiting from the solar-powered mini-grid project. The initiative is aimed at strengthening educational infrastructure through reliable energy solutions.

A major development during the event was the inclusion of eight additional federal universities in Phase IV of the EEP. The new beneficiaries are:

University of Lagos (UNILAG)

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

Federal University, Wukari

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Federal University, Dutse

University of Benin (UNIBEN)

University of Ibadan (UI)

Vice Chancellors from these institutions, except UNIBEN, were in attendance at the ceremony.

Speaking during the event, the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to advancing human capital development through the provision of sustainable and uninterrupted electricity in the education sector.

“To date, 24 institutions have benefited from Phases I to III of the programme. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the ministry, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), will support the construction of an additional four to six independent mini-grids, with capacities between two and 10 megawatts, in selected universities across the country,” Alausa stated.

The minister further disclosed that the University of Abuja now generates approximately 3.3 megawatts of electricity daily from its solar farm, which houses 6,000 photovoltaic panels—sufficient to power the entire campus round-the-clock.

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“This 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,” Alausa said.

He highlighted the broader economic benefits of the initiative, explaining that reliable power stimulates business activities within university communities.

“Any campus is a community by itself. With constant power supply, you unleash high economic activity,” he added.

The Energising Education Programme continues to gain momentum as it strengthens Nigeria’s tertiary education infrastructure while promoting clean, sustainable energy use.