By Nidala Muhammad Rabiu In a major step toward addressing the power challenges in Nigerian universities, Ahmadu Bello Universi...
By Nidala Muhammad Rabiu
In a major step toward addressing the power challenges in Nigerian universities, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has signed a collaboration agreement with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for the construction of a 10-megawatt solar power plant under Phase IV of the Federal Government’s Energizing Education Programme (EEP).
The agreement, signed on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the EEP II Renewable Energy Workshop and Training Centre, Yakubu Gowon University, FCT-Abuja, brings ABU into a consortium of eight federal universities selected for the latest phase of the EEP. The agreement was witnessed by the Hon. Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa.
In a statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, ABU Zaria, the institution confirmed that the ABU Teaching Hospital will also benefit from the 10MW electricity supply, which is expected to be completed within six to eight months.
The other beneficiaries of the programme include the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Federal University Dutse, Federal University Wukari, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
According to the release, “The scope of the EEP Phase IV includes the provision of a dedicated electricity distribution infrastructure, street lighting, and a world-class renewable energy workshop and training centre at each institution.”
The Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Alausa, while addressing the participants at the signing ceremony, emphasized the potential of the project to enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the beneficiary universities.
“Our public universities are not doing well in revenue generation,” he said, urging institutions like ABU to explore partnerships with private investors to utilize their expansive land resources for income generation.
The REA Managing Director and CEO, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, who signed the agreement on behalf of the agency, clarified that the solar plants were not to be treated as free projects. “The institutions will have to pay for the power generated at rates to be agreed,” he noted.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating what he described as a “gigantic electricity project.”
He added, “The project will significantly address the lingering electricity challenges facing Nigerian public universities. ABU will give all the needed support to ensure its success.”
Prof. Ahmed signed the agreement on behalf of ABU. He was accompanied by the Ag. Registrar, Dr. Aliyu Dalha Kankia; Director, Institute for Development Research and Training, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Salihu; and Prof. Boyi Jimoh of the Department of Electrical Engineering.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Sa’ad Ahmad; the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu; and the Ag. Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Patricia Manko Lar.
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