THE Federal Ministry of Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under the Federal Government’s Energising Education Programme (EEP) to provide 24-hour electricity on campuses.
The signing ceremony took place at the solar-powered mini-grid site of the University of Abuja, one of the beneficiaries of the transformative initiative.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the transformative agenda through continued collaboration with the REA and institutional partners across the nation and beyond.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a collaboration agreement between the REA and eight new universities under Phase IV of the EEP.
They include: University of Lagos (UNILAG); Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU); University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); Federal University Wukari; Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; Federal University Dutse; University of Benin, and the University of Ibadan.
Vice – Chancellors from the universities, except that of the University of Benin, were present at the signing.
Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, emphasised under President Bola Tinubu, the government remains fully committed to expanding human capital development through the provision of reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure in the education sector.
According to the minister, one of the President’s top priorities is ensuring uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply for all federal and state-owned tertiary institutions.
Alausa revealed that the federal government is constructing mini-grid systems ranging from 1.1 to 12.5 megawatts across federal tertiary institutions.
“To date, 24 institutions have benefited from Phases I to III of the programme. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry, through TETFund, will support the construction of an additional four to six independent mini-grids, with capacities between 2 and 10 megawatts, in selected universities across the country,” the Minister said.
Alausa reiterated that uninterrupted power supply will enhance student learning environments, improve staff productivity, support advanced research, and foster entrepreneurship within university communities—ultimately boosting national economic growth and gross domestic product (GDP).
Alausa was accompanied to the signing by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad.
Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Abdullahi Ribadu commended the federal government and REA for implementing a practical and sustainable solution to the power challenges faced by tertiary institutions.
He described the Energising Education Programme (EEP) as a cost-effective initiative that directly enhances teaching, learning, and research, while boosting institutional performance.
Also speaking at the event, Acting Vice – Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof Patricia Lar expressed deep appreciation to the Ministry and REA for what she described as a timely and impactful intervention
She noted that the project will address longstanding electricity challenges, reduce operational costs, and significantly strengthen academic delivery.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, noted that Phases I to III have delivered over 100 megawatts of clean electricity to 24 federal universities and their teaching hospitals, positively impacting more than 600,000 students and 50,000 staff.
He added that Phase II included clean energy projects for two universities and two hospitals, while Phase III—covering eight additional universities and one hospital—is nearing completion and will be commissioned soon.