The Federal Ministry of Education has entered into a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to supply 24-hour electricity to eight additional universities nationwide. This agreement is part of the Federal Government’s Energizing Education Programme (EEP).
The signing ceremony took place at the solar-powered mini-grid site of the University of Abuja, one of the initiative’s beneficiaries, as reported by Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, on Thursday in Abuja.
During the event, Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa emphasized the government’s dedication, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, to enhancing human capital development through dependable and sustainable energy solutions in the education sector.
He expressed sincere gratitude to the President for prioritizing a continuous 24-hour electricity supply for all federal and state-owned tertiary institutions. Dr. Alausa announced that the Federal Government is developing mini-grid systems with capacities ranging from 1.1 to 12.5 megawatts for federal and state tertiary institutions, as well as teaching hospitals. So far, 24 institutions have benefited from Phases I to III of the program. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry, through TETFund, will support the establishment of an additional four to six independent mini-grids, each with capacities between 2 and 10 megawatts, at selected tertiary institutions nationwide.
Another significant highlight of the event was the signing of a collaboration agreement between the REA and eight additional universities as part of Phase IV of the EEP. These institutions include the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and Federal University Wukari.
Dr. Alausa stressed that a reliable electricity supply would greatly improve student learning environments, boost staff productivity, facilitate advanced research, and foster entrepreneurship within university communities, ultimately contributing to national economic growth and GDP.
Accompanying him was the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, reported that Phases I to III have delivered over 100 megawatts of clean electricity to 24 federal universities and their teaching hospitals, benefiting more than 600,000 students and 50,000 staff members. He also mentioned that Phase II included clean energy initiatives for two universities and two teaching hospitals, while Phase III, which encompasses eight universities and one hospital, is nearing completion and will soon be commissioned.
