Nigerian government powers university with solar energy
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The Federal Government of Nigeria commissioned a 3 megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja to provide reliable electricity for academic and research activities.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe launched the project, which is part of the second phase of the Energising Education Programme and funded in part by the World Bank’s Nigeria Electrification Project.
Tegbe noted the importance of linking energy investment with education, stating the university offers a practical setting to demonstrate Nigeria’s energy transition. The new facility combines solar power with battery storage, providing 3 megawatts of AC output and 2 megawatt hours of backup power. Tegbe responded to a request from the Student Union Government and said his ministry would work to extend power to student hostels and other areas of the campus within six months.
The project also includes the installation of 388 streetlights to improve safety and illumination. The Rural Electrification Agency reports the Energising Education Programme has now supplied renewable energy infrastructure to 22 federal universities and three teaching hospitals, deploying over 100 megawatts of clean energy.
University leaders expressed hope that the new installation would serve as a platform for research into renewable energy technologies and energy management, while government officials urged the university community to protect the infrastructure from vandalism, a growing problem across the country.
