The Federal Government has earmarked N100 billion in the proposed 2025 budget to install solar mini-grids in select universities and teaching hospitals, including the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The budget, currently awaiting approval by the National Assembly, is part of efforts to enhance sustainable electricity supply in public institutions.
Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. He explained that the initiative falls under the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative, a program by the Federal Ministry of Power aimed at reducing governance costs and ensuring reliable electricity supply.
Aliyu stated that the rising cost of diesel and generators in public institutions necessitated a shift towards solar energy solutions. According to him, the allocated funding will be used to install solar-powered systems in institutions across the country, ensuring uninterrupted power supply.
The announcement follows a recent protest by students of the University of Ibadan over a 100-day power outage at UCH. During a meeting with the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), the minister assured students that electricity supply would be restored. Aliyu confirmed that solar mini-grids would be deployed to UCH and four other universities to tackle similar challenges.
The universities and teaching hospitals set to benefit from the solarization project include:
- University of Ibadan (UI) & University College Hospital (UCH)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
Aliyu further revealed that key government agencies in Abuja and other locations will also be included in the initiative.
He also announced plans by the REA to commission 60 mini-grids and begin deploying 40 interconnect grids within the next six months to improve power reliability.
“We recently completed interventions in seven universities and two teaching hospitals, providing them with hybrid mini-grids that guarantee 24-hour reliable and cost-effective electricity. We have now started a new phase covering eight universities and one teaching hospital, with commissioning expected to begin as early as April this year,” Aliyu said.
