24 Federal Universities Now Running on Solar Power – Education Minister
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced that 24 federal universities across Nigeria are now powered by solar energy as part of the Federal Government’s Energising Education Project (EEP), a major step toward sustainable energy use in the nation’s tertiary education sector.
Dr. Alausa made the disclosure on Wednesday during a ceremony in Abuja, where collaboration agreements were signed with vice chancellors of the participating institutions. He also revealed that eight additional universities have been enrolled in the fourth phase of the project, which aims to provide uninterrupted, 24-hour electricity to campuses through renewable energy solutions.
Earlier in the day, the minister visited the University of Abuja now officially renamed Yakubu Gowon University to inspect its newly completed solar power facility. The installation, comprising 6,000 photovoltaic panels, generates an estimated 3.3 megawatts of electricity daily, making it one of the largest university-based solar projects in the country.
“This project delivers continuous power to our institutions,” Alausa said. “It enables non-stop academic activities, keeps labs and libraries operational day and night, and significantly improves the learning and living environments for both students and faculty.”
Describing the development as “a new day for Nigeria,” the minister emphasized the broader impact of stable electricity within academic communities.
“Each campus is like a small city. When you power it consistently, you stimulate intense economic activity and innovation,” he added.
The Energising Education Project is funded through the Renewable Infrastructure Fund, established under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to support critical infrastructure development across key sectors. Alausa also called on university administrators to adopt innovative and sustainable approaches to maintain the solar infrastructure, expressing confidence that all federal tertiary institutions will transition fully to renewable energy by 2027.
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, noted that over 600,000 students and 50,000 academic staff have already benefitted from the first three phases of the project.
“This is part of our broader mission to provide universities with sustainable and affordable electricity,” Aliyu said. “So far, the project has delivered over 100 megawatts of clean energy to campuses and teaching hospitals across the country.”
He added that Phase 3, now nearing completion, will bring renewable power to eight additional universities and one teaching hospital. The new beneficiaries include:
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Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
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University of Nigeria, Nsukka
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Federal University, Wukari
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Federal University, Dutse
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University of Benin
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University of Ibadan
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Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
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University of Lagos
Two additional universities and two teaching hospitals are also being powered under the Universal Public Health Project introduced during Phase 2.
The Energising Education Project marks a transformative shift in how Nigerian universities approach power supply, aligning national education goals with sustainability and long-term infrastructure development.
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