FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MOVES TO POWER UNIVERSITIES WITH DEDICATED SOLAR ENERGY

The Federal Government has announced plans to reduce the dependence of Nigerian universities on the national electricity grid by expanding the use of solar power and other renewable energy sources. The initiative is aimed at providing more reliable electricity for teaching, research and other activities across tertiary institutions.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed the plan during the commissioning of a 3MW captive solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja. He said the government was working towards providing dedicated power solutions for universities and other educational institutions to address challenges associated with inconsistent electricity supply.

The project at the university combines solar generation with battery storage and is designed to provide electricity for critical facilities on campus. The government said such projects would reduce institutions’ reliance on diesel-powered generators while also lowering the cost of running their operations.

The minister also said the Federal Government was considering broader renewable-energy solutions for universities across the country. The initiative forms part of efforts to expand access to cleaner and more dependable electricity while supporting the government’s wider energy transition programme.

The Rural Electrification Agency said the Energising Education Programme has already delivered renewable power projects to several federal institutions and teaching hospitals. Officials said the expansion of such projects would help create a more stable learning environment, improve productivity and reduce the financial burden associated with alternative power sources.