By Muhammad Sal
The Federal Executive Council has given the green light to a major N68.7 billion investment that will bring solar electricity to universities, teaching hospitals, and rural agricultural centres across Nigeria.
This move is part of the Ministry of Power’s wider N200 billion energising plan, which aims to solve Nigeria’s power problems, especially in areas critical to education, healthcare, and farming. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, announced the decision after an FEC meeting led by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in Abuja.
The first phase of this funding will cover engineering, procurement, and construction of solar mini grids for key institutions. According to the Ministry, “The projects reflect the government’s resolve to ensure steady electricity supply in vital sectors like health and education,” as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
Beneficiaries in this round include some of Nigeria’s prominent schools and health centres: University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Calabar, University of Ibadan and its teaching hospital (UCH), and the Federal University in Wukari, Taraba State.
The Ministry says these projects should be completed within seven to nine months. Past projects at places like the University of Abuja, Nigerian Defence Academy, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University are already delivering results.
While this first phase targets universities and hospitals, the broader N200 billion plan will also roll out solar power to Agricultural Centres of Excellence and rural farming clusters nationwide. The aim is to help micro and small agro-businesses in less-served communities get reliable electricity to boost productivity and cut costs.
Minister Adelabu explained that “the solar programme is not just about electricity supply but also about driving inclusive economic growth and unlocking productivity in rural areas.”
The government has put the Rural Electrification Agency in charge of the programme under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Initiative.
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