The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria has announced plans to supply over 100MW of clean energy to various universities across the country. This significant development was revealed during the 2024 Energising Education Programme (EEP) Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum, organized by the Nigeria Electrification Programme last week.
Under the theme “Empowering Education through Sustainable Energy: Collaborative Pathways for the Long-term Success of the Energising Education Programme,” the forum focused on ensuring the sustainability of solar hybrid power plants set up in beneficiary universities. This initiative is part of the REA’s EEP, which aims to provide a reliable power supply to 37 federal universities and seven affiliated teaching hospitals throughout Nigeria. So far, 24 federal universities and four teaching hospitals have been included in this program.
The REA is equipping these higher learning institutions with solar hybrid power plants, which are collectively capable of generating more than 100MW of clean energy. This initiative is important for fostering educational advancement and institutional growth in Nigeria.
The Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum also addressed various concerns regarding Phase I of the EEP, stressing the need for immediate measures to enhance the sustainability of power plants deployed in this phase. The discussions aimed to clarify misconceptions surrounding Phase I, particularly at institutions like Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Abba Abubakar Aliyu, the Managing Director and CEO of the REA, stated, “The challenges faced by Phase I institutions have been acknowledged, and we have deliberately started implementing measures to address them, ensuring sustainability across all phases. Our mission remains clear—to ensure that no institution is left behind in this transformative journey.”
The collaborative agreement signed by the universities reflects their commitment to the future of this initiative. Ben Ayangeao, Assistant Director of the Renewable and Rural Power Access Department in the Ministry of Power, emphasized that the agreement is not merely formal; it represents a shared responsibility for maintaining the sustainability of the power plants on campus. He remarked, “Institutions that choose not to sign will no longer be able to place the burden of electricity challenges on REA. This is a collective responsibility, and we are in this together.”
A total of 15 institutions have signed the agreement, pledging to ensure the sustainability of their electricity projects, with an additional nine agreements expected to be finalized soon. The universities that have signed the agreement include:
- Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
- Modibbo Adama University
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
- University of Maiduguri and Teaching Hospital
- University of Abuja
- University of Calabar Teaching Hospital
- University of Lokoja
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike
- University of Uyo
- Federal University of Technology, Akure
- Federal University, Gashua
- Federal University, Dustin-Ma
- Federal University, Lafia
- Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
This initiative represents a vital step toward enhancing the energy infrastructure in Nigeria’s educational sector.
