- FEC approved ₦68.7 billion for electricity projects in universities and teaching hospitals to improve power supply under the Energising Education Programme.
- The projects will deliver solar-powered systems to eight new institutions and rural agricultural centres, supporting critical services and productive energy use across Nigeria.
The Federal Executive Council on Thursday, July 31, approved ₦68.7 billion ($45 million) for electricity projects in universities and teaching hospitals to strengthen power supply in key public institutions.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu announced the approval after President Bola Tinubu chaired the weekly council meeting at the State House in Abuja. He also said the government aims to ensure a steady electricity supply in the education and health sectors by funding solar and renewable energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Rural Electrification Agency will implement the projects under the Energising Education Programme. The agency will handle engineering, procurement, and construction across the selected institutions.
“This initiative reduces energy costs and delivers reliable, high-quality electricity to our universities and hospitals,” Adelabu said. “Many institutions operate under disturbing power conditions, which directly affect service delivery.”
Furthermore, Adelabu listed eight beneficiary universities and hospitals: the University of Lagos; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Ibadan and University College Hospital; University of Calabar; and the Federal University, Wukari.
In addition, the power ministry expects contractors to complete the projects within seven to nine months. “We will not delay,” Adelabu said. “We plan to transform electricity access and make these institutions energy-secure.”
Adelabu also cited completed projects as examples. The University of Niger now uses a 12-megawatt solar power plant, while Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto runs on an 8 MW system. The Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna operates with 2.6 MW of solar, and the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi also benefits from renewable energy.
“These results prove the viability of our approach,” Adelabu said. “We implemented this model successfully and will now expand its reach.”
In addition, the council approved a solar energy programme for Agricultural Centres of Excellence in rural communities. Adelabu said the project will power homes and agro-processing equipment, increasing farmers’ productivity and income.
“We will light up rural homes and drive agricultural growth using solar systems,” he said. “We want rural communities to process food, store produce, and run water pumps with clean, sustainable power.”
Finally, Adelabu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing uninterrupted power for development-critical institutions. “We will not allow power shortages to undermine our universities and hospitals,” he said. “We are delivering lasting solutions.”