Over 58,000 students of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja will now enjoy uninterrupted electricity following the commissioning of a 3MW hybrid mini-grid by the Federal Government.
Inaugurated on Wednesday, the project comes with a 3.3MWp solar array, 2MWh battery storage to power critical loads beyond solar hours, and 388 streetlights to enhance security and illumination across the campus.
Besides, it includes a Renewable Energy Workshop and Training Centre and a dedicated grid connection for non-critical loads outside daylight hours.
The installation is under Phase 2 of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) which covers seven universities and two teaching hospitals. Phase 3 is currently in implementation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Tegbe, commended the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Board chaired by Mr. Ayodele Fayose and the management led by Abba Abubakar Aliyu for sustained investment in the sector.
He observed that electrifying the university will strengthen research, reduce reliance on diesel generators, and ease pressure on institutional budgets.
“This connection between infrastructure and human capability is central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Under his leadership, investment in electricity is being directed towards services and productive activities that improve people’s lives.”
“This sustained investment is a testament to this administration’s constancy of purpose. Continuing a national programme through successive phases, bringing projects to completion, and preparing the next phase reflects the discipline that development requires. For the young people who depend on these institutions, that continuity matters. It means that the commitment to their future remains active beyond any single project or ceremony,” he said.
On the sustainability of the facility, the Minister urged students to take ownership of the infrastructure and report any acts of vandalism.
He also disclosed that the government is establishing a national call centre to receive and resolve electricity complaints across the country.
“The promise of this investment now places a responsibility on all of us to preserve it. I expect the student community to support our ongoing efforts to stem the tide of vandalism. I therefore charge all of you to report any such act whenever you see it not just on this solar system, but on other power assets such as transformers and transmission towers.”
“My office is working on a call centre where electricity complaints across the country can be lodged and resolved. This initiative will provide sustainable job opportunities for our youth nationwide. In addition, we plan to provide a dedicated channel where vandalism of critical assets can be reported for immediate action and remediation. We are also working through a joint team of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the EFCC to curb the vandalism of electricity assets across the country,” the Minister added.
The Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, stated that the true value of the EEP lies not merely in megawatts, but in functional laboratories, reduced budgetary pressure, and safer learning environments.
He charged the varsity’s governing council to ensure the project remains productive and beneficial to the University community long after the commissioning.
“Over the years, the EEP has taught us that when you build, you have to think about what happens five years from now and whether the investment will continue to create value into the future.”
“The Renewable Asset Management Company (RAMCO) is our solution. We must now become rigorous about asking how we protect and preserve the value of what we have built. RAMCO addresses this sustainability challenge. It recognizes that building infrastructure and managing it are two distinct responsibilities, and that modern renewable energy involves decentralization. The Federal Government has created a platform to manage, monitor, maintain and optimize assets over time. RAMCO cannot survive alone, it requires the support of all stakeholders in shared stewardship. The ultimate value of this project will depend not only on what we have installed, but on how well it is sustained,” the REA MD said.
He added that beyond the mini-grid, the agency established a Renewable Energy Workshop and Training Centre (WTC) to build local technical capacity.
He implored the university to turn the facility into a research hub for distributed energy resources, challenging the institution to pioneer new academic courses, drive technological innovation, and push the technical boundaries of the installation.
He also revealed that the EEP has so far delivered over 100MW of power across 22 federal institutions and university teaching hospitals, while thanking the Minister for his continuous support in ensuring energy investments deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Akinwunmi Babatunde Fawehinmi emphasized that the institution cannot effectively teach, conduct research, or provide a conducive learning environment without reliable electricity.
He praised the Federal Government for its coordinated intervention, stating that the project directly addresses the university’s energy needs while pledging that the management will ensure the facility is fully utilized and meticulously maintained.
Commending the REA leadership, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, hailed Abba Aliyu for the project, noting that it is critical to improving the quality of education across the country.
He also applauded the establishment of RAMCO, stating that sustainability is key to ensuring that projects continue to benefit Nigerians long after commissioning.
