The Federal Government has electrified 15 federal universities and teaching hospitals with hybrid solar grids, providing a combined capacity of 35.5 megawatts. Abba Aliyu, CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, announced this at the Alliance for Rural Electrification Energy Access Forum in Lagos. The initiative aims to deliver 24-hour electricity to 350,000 students and power access to 50,000 lecturers, funded by the $550 million Nigeria Electrification Project, backed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
The University of Maiduguri, featuring a 12MW solar grid, is among the beneficiaries. Other institutions include Federal University Calabar, Federal University Yobe, University of Abuja, and its teaching hospital, Nigerian Defence Academy, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. These projects will be officially launched by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, within the next two months.
Projects are also progressing at the University of Port Harcourt, University of Uyo, Federal University of Technology Akure, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Modibbo Adama University Yola, Federal University Lafia and Federal University Lokoja. The University of Maiduguri’s project, one of the largest, will also power a water treatment plant in Borno State with its 12MW capacity.
Aliyu highlighted the deployment of over 150 mini-grids nationwide, including 100 50-kilowatt containerized mini-grids in health institutions. A 1MW interconnected mini-grid will serve 6,000 households in Ondo State. Addressing concerns about the national spread of REA projects, Aliyu stressed the need for scaling up to thousands of mini-grids. Additionally, President Bola Tinubu secured a $750 million World Bank loan to build 1,200 mini-grids in rural communities, aiming to enhance energy access across Nigeria.
