Nigeria commissions solar power plant to supply electricity to Federal University of Lafia

The Nigerian Federal Government commissioned a 1.6-megawatt solar-hybrid power plant at the Federal University of Lafia in Nasarawa State.

The project aims to resolve long-term electricity shortages that have affected student hostels, laboratories, lecture rooms, and administrative offices. The Rural Electrification Agency implemented the project under Phase III of the Energising Education Programme. This initiative received financial support from the African Development Bank.

In addition to the power plant, the project includes a battery storage capacity of nearly 3 megawatts, a rehabilitated electricity distribution network, a new Workshop Training Centre for research, and solar-powered streetlights. The university Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Isa, stated that the institution stopped paying 30 million naira in monthly electricity bills since the plant began operating. The project serves more than 30,000 students and staff.

It also provides technical training and practical skills in renewable energy systems for 160 female students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The Energising Education Programme covers eight federal universities and one teaching hospital across Nigeria. The government intends to use the program to provide clean electricity while fostering human capital development and technological research.