The Federal Government of Nigeria has earmarked ₦100 billion in the 2025 budget to install solar mini-grids in selected government institutions, federal universities, and teaching hospitals.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, confirmed that once the budget is passed and signed by President Bola Tinubu, the initiative will commence under the National Public Sector Solarisation
Initiative by the Federal Ministry of Power.
“It’s a new concept designed to reduce the cost of governance. ₦100bn has been allocated to solarize public institutions and cut diesel costs,” Aliyu said.
Aliyu announced that the first phase of the project will focus on *five universities and one teaching hospital*, including:
– University of Ibadan (UI) & University College Hospital (UCH)
– University of Lagos (UNILAG)
– Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
– University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
– Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
The announcement follows a 100-day power outage protest at UCH, where the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, assured students that electricity would be restored.
Aliyu revealed that within the next six months, the REA will:
-Commission at least 60 mini-grids
-Begin deploying 40 interconnect grids to enhance power reliability
“We have completed interventions in seven universities and two teaching hospitals, providing 24-hour hybrid mini-grids. For example, we deployed 12MW capacity at the University of Maiduguri, which now powers the university,
teaching hospital, and a water treatment plant in Maiduguri,” he said.
The new phase of eight universities and one teaching hospital is expected to begin commissioning by April 2025.
This initiative aligns with the FG’s commitment to renewable energy, reducing diesel dependency and ensuring sustainable, cost-effective electricity in public institutions.
