- Nigeria’s Education Minister, Professor Tahir Mamman, announced plans to connect universities to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to address severe power supply issues.
- The government is negotiating discounted CNG rates for educational institutions and implementing reforms to enhance energy efficiency and stability in the education sector.
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, has addressed the ongoing power crisis affecting universities and other tertiary institutions while outlining broader reforms in the education sector. At a recent news conference, Mamman and Minister of State for Education Dr Yusuf Sununu emphasised their commitment to overhauling the industry and tackling the critical issue of unreliable power supply.
Mamman highlighted that one of the significant challenges tertiary institutions face is the high cost of electricity. The Federal Government has approved a plan to connect these institutions to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), a more stable and potentially cost-effective energy source. This initiative aims to alleviate the severe financial pressure caused by escalating electricity bills, which have dramatically increased for some institutions from N80 million to N300 million, with the University of Lagos reporting a bill exceeding N470 million.
The transition to CNG is seen as a long-term solution to the erratic power supply, and discussions are underway to secure discounted rates for these institutions following recent tariff hikes by the electricity regulatory agency. This move is expected to significantly reduce universities’ energy costs and improve their overall financial stability.
In addition to addressing the energy crisis, Mamman discussed other significant achievements and ongoing reforms in the education sector. Under his leadership, the Federal Government has developed a strategic education roadmap known as DOTS (Data Repository, Out-of-School Children Education, Teacher Training & Development, and Skills Acquisition). This policy is designed to enhance educational outcomes and integrate energy-efficient solutions in schools.
Mamman also reported progress in increasing school enrollments and training educational staff while emphasising the need for a more reliable energy infrastructure to support educational facilities. The government’s efforts to address power challenges align with broader reforms to improve the learning environment and ensure that schools can operate effectively.
By integrating CNG into the energy mix for tertiary institutions and focusing on sustainable energy solutions, the Ministry of Education aims to address immediate power concerns and contribute to the long-term stability and growth of Nigeria’s educational sector.