FEC gives approval for electrification of universities, rural communities at N213.7bn
Adebayo Adelabu
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved two major electrification projects worth a combined ₦213.7 billion to improve energy access in universities, teaching hospitals, and rural communities across Nigeria.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, announced the approvals while briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, after the 7th FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Adelabu said the first project, valued at ₦145 billion, inclusive of 7.5 percent VAT, is for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of power systems under the Energising Education Programme (EEP), implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
It will be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund and is expected to be delivered within seven to nine months.
The EEP is targeted at easing the energy burden on Nigeria’s public universities and tertiary teaching hospitals by providing reliable, renewable power supply.
The Minister noted that many institutions have faced severe electricity challenges, leading to blackouts and industrial actions, as they struggle to meet exorbitant utility bills from distribution companies.
“The absence of reliable power in most institutions has grown into a crisis. This initiative will bring relief to educational and medical institutions and improve the quality of education and healthcare delivery,” Adelabu said.
He listed the eight benefitting institutions from this phase of the programme: University of Lagos; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Ibadan; University College Hospital, Ibadan; Federal University, Dutse in Jigawa State; and Federal University, Wukari in Taraba State.
The Minister added that the new projects build on earlier interventions executed with World Bank support, which have already delivered solar power installations to several universities, including the University of Abuja (3 megawatts), University of Maiduguri (12MW), University of Calabar (8MW), Nigerian Defence Academy (2.6MW), and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (5MW).
“These institutions are now operating without disruption to electricity supply. The new funding is intended to accelerate deployment to more campuses”, he said.
The second project, valued at ₦68.7 billion including VAT, is for the procurement and deployment of renewable energy infrastructure under the REA’s Agricultural Centres of Excellence initiative.
The programme aims to bring solar-powered electricity to rural communities and agribusiness clusters where grid access is unavailable. It is expected to be completed within three months.
According to Adelabu, the rural electrification project is designed not only to provide lighting for homes but also to power agro-processing activities and other productive uses to boost rural livelihoods.
“This project is meant to empower our rural dwellers by enabling them to engage in productive activities using solar-powered equipment. It’s a key part of our resolve to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in the transformation of the power sector.
“The total cost approved for this project was N68.7 billion, inclusive of 7.5% VAT, with three months completion or delivery periods. For the Nigerian education, the total project amounts approved was N145 billion, inclusive of 7.5% VAT”, the minister said.
He emphasized that the deployment of off-grid renewable energy solutions aligns with the Tinubu administration’s broader agenda to promote inclusive growth and economic diversification through sustainable infrastructure development.
“The approvals granted today demonstrate President Tinubu’s commitment to transformative investments in power infrastructure that directly impact lives, learning, healthcare, and productivity,” Adelabu stated.
