Varsities Now Powered With Solar Mini-Grids, Says REA Boss

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Abba Aliyu, has announced the successful completion of solar power projects in eight Nigerian universities under the agency’s public sector solarisation initiative.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Morning Brief’ on Monday, Aliyu said the projects were part of his earlier promise to deliver electricity solutions across higher institutions and rural communities within six months.

“Out of the eight universities we promised to provide solar power to, we have completed all eight. We are now doing technical testing for four of them — in Yola, Dutsinma (Katsina), Lokoja (Kogi), and Owerri (Imo),” he explained.

Aliyu also disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the next phase of university electrification projects, which will cover the University of Lagos, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Federal University Dutse (Jigawa), University of Wukari (Taraba), and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Beyond universities, the REA boss said his agency had exceeded its earlier target of delivering 60 mini-grids across rural areas.

“Currently, we have delivered 91 mini-grids. For interconnected mini-grids, we are deploying 42, and we have completed six already in Osun, Plateau, Cross River, and Niger State,” he added.

The REA boss further explained that the agency is also advancing work on 42 interconnected mini-grids, with six already completed in Osun, Plateau, Cross River, and Niger State (Lambata).

According to him, these efforts underscored the commitment of government officials under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to surpass expectations.

“This is to tell you that there are genuine government officials under the leadership of Mr President who do their job surpassing expectations,” he added.