Kabiru Haruna
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has described the ongoing deployment of solar mini grids in Nigerian tertiary institutions as a new dawn for the education sector.
Speaking at the official signing of agreements for Phase IV of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), the Minister stated that the Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is implementing this intervention to support key sectors including education, health, and agriculture.
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He emphasized that the initiative aims to provide uninterrupted 24-hour electricity in federal tertiary institutions, creating a conducive academic environment for both students and staff. According to him, this marks “a new brand of initiatives energizing all our federal tertiary institutions.”
A key highlight of the event was the showcase of the University of Abuja’s solar infrastructure, which includes a 6,000-panel solar farm generating approximately 3.8 megawatts of electricity.
This infrastructure is already enhancing the academic and residential experience on campus.
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Dr. Alausa noted that Phases I to III of the EEP have successfully covered 24 federal tertiary institutions. Phase IV, which was formalized during the event, will benefit eight additional universities and one teaching hospital.
He also called on Vice Chancellors to utilize their vast hectares of institutional land for agricultural development and livestock farming.
He encouraged them to engage in collaborative partnerships that would not only promote food security but also generate income and drive economic sustainability.
Accompanying the Minister was the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad. The Managing Director/CEO of REA, Engr. Abba Aliyu, gave an overview of the agency’s interventions across education, health, and agriculture.
He disclosed that Phrase I to III IEEP benefited over 60,000 students and 50,000 post-academic staff, with a projected power output exceeding 100 megawatts.
Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, in a goodwill message, praised the initiative as a cost-effective solution to the electricity challenges facing higher institutions.
In her vote of thanks, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Patricia Manko Lar, described the intervention as a landmark collaboration that will eliminate the economic drain caused by unstable power supply.
Beneficiary institutions under Phase IV include the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Federal University Dutse, Federal University Wukari, University of Benin, and University of Ibadan