The Federal Government has inaugurated a 3MW captive solar hybrid power plant at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly University of Abuja, providing cleaner and more reliable electricity to its 58,726 students and ending the institution’s reliance on diesel generators.
The project, developed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under Phase II of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), combines a 3.3MWp solar array with 3MW AC output and 2MWh battery storage, with dedicated grid supply available outside solar hours.
The project also includes 388 streetlights installed across the university campus to improve security and extend safe hours for study and movement by students and staff.
Inaugurating the facility, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the project represented a direct investment in human capability, noting that reliable electricity would protect academic facilities and specialist equipment while reducing the university’s expenditure on diesel.
Tegbe said stable electricity would also strengthen research and graduate development, with benefits extending beyond the university to the wider economy.
“Energizing education also protects the investments already made in academic facilities and specialist equipment. It reduces the disruption that weakens research and makes learning more difficult. These benefits extend beyond the campus, through graduates whose skills strengthen the economy and research that helps solve the country’s problems,” the Minister said.
He linked the project to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, under which electricity investments are being directed towards services and activities that directly improve citizens’ lives.
Yakubu Gowon University is one of nine institutions covered under Phase II of the EEP, comprising seven universities and two teaching hospitals, as the Federal Government expands campus electrification nationwide.
Tegbe said the continuation of the programme across successive phases demonstrated the administration’s commitment to improving electricity supply for young Nigerians.
The Minister charged students and staff to protect the new infrastructure by reporting vandalism involving the solar system and other electricity assets, including transformers and transmission towers.
He disclosed that the Ministry was developing a nationwide electricity complaints call centre that would create jobs for young Nigerians, alongside a dedicated channel for reporting electricity infrastructure vandalism for immediate remediation.
According to him, a joint team comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is also working to curb vandalism of electricity infrastructure nationwide.
Tegbe commended the REA Board, chaired by Mr Ayodele Fayose, the REA management led by Mr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, the Nigeria Electrification Programme team and the project contractor for delivering the facility.
He also acknowledged the support of the World Bank, Ministry of Education, FCT Administration and the university leadership in the implementation of the project.
REA has committed to sustaining the battery storage system to meet the university’s electricity needs, with the project expected to permanently end diesel generator use on the campus and reduce the overall cost of electricity supply.
The inauguration was attended by the Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory and Education, members of the Governing Council and Executive Leadership of Yakubu Gowon University, development partners, staff and students.