The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo A. Adelabu, has inspected the ongoing 12MVA-capacity solar energy project at the University of Maiduguri, under the Federal Government’s Energising Education Programme (EEP) being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The solar project, designed to provide electricity to both the University of Maiduguri and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), is nearing completion and is scheduled for commissioning in the coming weeks.
During the inspection on Wednesday, Chief Adelabu commended the quality of work and the pace of progress at the site.
“The government is conscious of the energy cost burden on its institutions. As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, efforts are being made to ensure all educational and healthcare institutions are adequately powered,” he said.
The Minister emphasized the project’s alignment with global climate change goals, noting its zero-emission design and support for Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
“This initiative is in line with our commitment to the United Nations climate change regulations,” he added.
Chief Adelabu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to deliver sustainable power to over 35 educational institutions across the country through the EEP.
“The first phase of the programme has been completed, this project falls under the second phase, and arrangements for the third phase are already in motion,” he said.
Representing the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Yakubu Muktar expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for including the university in the intervention, describing it as transformative and crucial to academic development.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of UMTH, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, thanked the government for extending the solar power coverage to the hospital. He described the intervention as “life-touching,” highlighting its impact on patient care and hospital operations.
“The system currently meets 50 per cent of our daytime power needs, which has boosted efficiency in service delivery. We, however, appeal for enhanced storage capacity to achieve 24-hour supply,” he said.
On behalf of the REA, the Project Engineer, Engr. Joro Salau appreciated the support received from both institutions and assured stakeholders of efficient and reliable power delivery upon project completion.
