Speaking at the ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, underlined the government’s commitment under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to furthering human capital development through reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure in the education sector. He conveyed sincere appreciation to the President for giving all federal and state-owned postsecondary institutions a continuous, round-the-clock electrical supply.
According to Dr. Alausa, the federal government is building mini-grid systems with capacities between 1.1 and 12.5 megawatts at teaching hospitals and federal and state postsecondary educational institutions. Thus far, Phases I through III of the initiative have benefited 24 universities. The Ministry will use the TETFund to help select tertiary institutions nationwide build four or six more independent mini-grids with capacities ranging from two to ten megawatts, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The signing of a collaboration agreement between the REA and eight other universities under Phase IV of the EEP was another significant event highlight. Federal University Wukari, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Federal University Dutse, University of Benin, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and University of Ibadan are some of these establishments. Every vice chancellor was present, with the exception of the University of Benin, which had a strong presence.
Dr. Alausa underlined that a continuous supply of electricity will boost university communities’ entrepreneurship, support cutting-edge research, improve staff productivity, and improve student learning environments—all of which will eventually boost GDP and national economic growth.
In his message of goodwill, National University Commission Executive Secretary Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu praised REA and the Federal Government for addressing the electricity issues in higher education in a way that is both realistic and long-lasting. He commended the Energising Education Programme as an economical endeavour that directly improves research, teaching, learning, and the general performance of the institution.
In her vote of thanks, Professor Patricia Manko Lar, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, conveyed her sincere gratitude to the Ministry and REA for what she called a prompt and significant intervention. The project would solve long-standing electrical issues, lower operating expenses, and greatly improve academic delivery, she said.
Through ongoing cooperation with REA and institutional partners throughout Nigeria and beyond, the Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms its dedication to advancing this transformative agenda.
Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press & Public Relations, signed it.
CREDIT: ALLSCHOOL, Allschoolabs
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