The Federal Government of Nigeria has switched on a 3-megawatt solar hybrid plant at Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja. This project is part of a broader effort to enhance electricity supply at public universities, where unreliable power has long hindered teaching and research. The plant was commissioned by the Rural Electrification Agency under the Energising Education Programme, with funding from the World Bank-backed Nigeria Electrification Project.
The solar plant was built by EM-ONE Energy Solutions, in collaboration with the university, and will provide power to classrooms, laboratories, digital services, and campus lighting. Yakubu Gowon University has approximately 40,000 students, with over 8,000 living on campus and more than 3,500 staff. University officials expect the added capacity to provide a more predictable energy base for planning.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, who commissioned the project, highlighted its significance as a test case for Nigeria's energy transition and workforce development. He noted that universities require a modern power grid to serve various demands, including teaching, research, healthcare, administration, and digital infrastructure. Tegbe emphasized that the project's success depends on its long-term maintenance.
The Rural Electrification Agency's managing director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, reported that the education programme has delivered renewable power to 22 federal universities and three teaching hospitals. The programme has installed over 100 megawatts of clean energy capacity, benefiting more than 600,000 students and 50,000 staff. Aliyu stressed that the programme's real payoff lies in its impact on university life, including steadier laboratories and safer campuses.
To ensure the plant's upkeep, the government has established a Renewable Asset Management Company. However, lawmakers have expressed concerns about long-term maintenance. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, chair of the Senate Committee on Power, emphasized that the project's success hinges on the university taking ownership of upkeep and operations.
Yakubu Gowon University's vice-chancellor, Hakeem Fawehinmi, welcomed the plant as crucial to the school's academic mission. He noted that reliable power is essential for lab work, digital services, and making the campus more attractive to students and researchers. The project also includes a renewable energy workshop and training centre, as well as a female STEM component aimed at increasing women's participation in the renewable energy sector.
The project was financed through a partnership between the Federal Government, the Rural Electrification Agency, the Nigeria Electrification Project, the World Bank, the university, and EM-ONE Energy Solutions. The solar plant is expected to have a lasting impact on the university's operations and serve as a model for future renewable energy projects in Nigeria.
Key points
- The 3-megawatt solar hybrid plant at Yakubu Gowon University was commissioned by the Rural Electrification Agency under the Energising Education Programme.
- The project aims to provide a more predictable energy base for the university, reducing reliance on diesel generators.
- The programme has delivered renewable power to 22 federal universities and three teaching hospitals, installing over 100 megawatts of clean energy capacity.
