The Federal Government has announced the successful installation of solar energy infrastructure across 24 federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria as part of its Energising Education Project (EEP)—an initiative under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration aimed at ensuring clean, uninterrupted power supply for the nation’s higher education sector.
This was revealed by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, during a Collaboration Agreement Signing Ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, where eight additional universities were confirmed to join the fourth phase of the project.
Speaking at the event, Dr Alausa underscored the transformative impact of the initiative:
“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.”
He made the remarks following an inspection of the solar energy facility at the University of Abuja (recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University), where a 6,000-panel solar farm now generates approximately 3.3 megawatts daily—sufficient to provide stable power to the campus round-the-clock.
Dr Alausa also highlighted the economic significance of the project, noting that,
“Any campus is a community by itself. With constant power supply, you unleash high economic activity.”
He added that the project is being financed through the Renewable Infrastructure Fund, set up by President Tinubu to advance infrastructure development across key sectors. The Minister encouraged university administrators to “think creatively and innovatively” in ensuring the sustainability of the installations, stating that by 2027, every federal tertiary institution in Nigeria will be equipped with renewable energy solutions.
Also speaking at the event, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr Abba Aliyu, said the EEP has already impacted over 600,000 students and 50,000 academic and non-academic staff across Phases 1 to 3.
“What 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,” Aliyu noted.
He added that more than 100 megawatts of clean energy have been generated through the project so far. Under Phase 2, clean energy systems have been delivered to two universities and two teaching hospitals via the Universal Public Health Project component. Phase 3, which includes eight universities and one more teaching hospital, is nearing completion.
The eight new institutions joining the programme are:
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Federal University, Wukari (Taraba State)
Federal University Dutse
University of Benin
University of Ibadan
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
University of Lagos
These institutions will soon benefit from similar solar mini-grid systems that have already revolutionised operations in earlier phases.
The Energising Education Project, executed by the REA, aims to close the energy gap in federal universities and teaching hospitals through clean, reliable electricity, ultimately enhancing academic performance, research capabilities, and quality of life on campuses nationwide.