FG approves the electrification projects N145 billion for eight Varsies, Hospital – Thage

By Victor Osula, Abuja

The federal government approved the sum of ₦ 145 billion of electrification projects in eight federal universities and a teaching hospital as part of the efforts to expand access to clean and renewable energies in the Nigeria education sector.

The approval was granted to the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.

The Council also approved ₦ 68.7 billion for the deployment of solar energy infrastructures in off-grid rural communities and agricultural clusters.

The Minister of Power, the leader Adebayo Adelabu, who revealed the details to the journalists after the meeting, said that the two projects align with the renewed agenda of the hope of the administration and reflect a strategic passage towards sustainable energy solutions.

Adelabu said that the first initiative, assessed at ₦ 145 billion, including 7.5% of the value added tax, provides for engineering, supply and construction (EPC) of solar hybrid energy systems for eight federal universities and a teaching hospital in the field of energy education program (EEP).

The projects will be carried out by the rural electrification agency (rea) and should be completed within 7-9 months.

“This is a milestone in the transformation of the tertiary education infrastructure. It will drastically convey energy costs, will reduce dependence on diesel generators and provide a stable and clean source of energy to support teaching, research and health care,” said Adelabu.

He listed the beneficiaries as the University of Lagos (Unilag), Ahmadu Bello University (Abu), Zaria, Obafemi Awolowo University (Oau), Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria (UNN), NSUKKA, University of Ibadan (UI), University College Hospital (Uch), Ibadan and Federal University, Wukari, State. Taraba. He added that further institutions would be confirmed to the start of the project.

Adelabu observed that the initiative is based on previous world stages supported by the bank, which provided mini-sudden mini-cigks such as the University of Abuja (3MW), UNN (12mw), University of Calabar (8mw) and Nigerian Defense Academy (2.6mw).

The second project, with a contractual value of ₦ 68.7 billion, also VAT, will support the installation of solar energy infrastructures in the agricultural centers of excellence, targeting the rural communities and agricultural hubs without access to the national network. It is expected to be delivered within three months.

According to the minister, intervention feeds houses, agro-elaborations, cold storage systems and rural companies, thus improving productivity and stimulating rural economic growth.

“The goal is not only to provide lighting but to energize agriculture, create jobs and guide the addition of value in the communities,” he said.

Adelabu stressed that both projects demonstrate the commitment of the Tinubu Administration in the use of reliable electricity as a catalyst for inclusive development.

“These approvals reaffirm our determination to fill the gap of access to energy and ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable and economically resistant energy sector,” he said.

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