The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has taken another significant step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP). During the 2024 EEP Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum (SEF) in Abuja, the REA solidified partnerships with beneficiary universities to maintain and optimize solar hybrid power plants deployed across their campuses. The forum, organized by the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from universities, hospitals, and development partners like the World Bank (WB) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The three-day forum, themed “Empowering Education through Sustainable Energy: Collaborative Pathways for the Long-term Success of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP),” focused on the importance of sustainability in the program’s continued success. REA Managing Director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, emphasized that sustainability is central to ensuring the program’s long-term viability.
“Our mission remains clear—to ensure that no institution is left behind in this transformative journey,” said Aliyu. He stressed that the EEP’s success hinges on the proactive involvement of universities and teaching hospitals in maintaining their renewable energy infrastructure.
Phase I of the Energizing Education Programme includes nine universities and one teaching hospital, all benefitting from a combination of solar hybrid and gas power plants designed to provide consistent, clean energy. These institutions include:
These power plants provide a total capacity of over 100 MW of clean energy, dramatically reducing energy costs and ensuring a reliable power supply for academic and medical operations.
The REA acknowledged some challenges faced by Phase I institutions, including Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Lagos. During the forum, REA Managing Director, Aliyu, assured stakeholders that measures are already being taken to address these concerns and strengthen the sustainability of all projects.
“We have deliberately started implementing measures to address them,” said Aliyu, emphasizing the need for institutional ownership of the solar energy infrastructure to ensure its long-term success.
Following the success of Phase I, REA is expanding the Energizing Education Programme to more institutions under Phases II and III:
Phase II includes seven universities and two teaching hospitals, such as the University of Maiduguri and Teaching Hospital, which will benefit from a 12MW solar hybrid system, and the University of Calabar, set to receive a 7MW solar hybrid plant.
Phase III targets eight universities and one teaching hospital, including the Federal University of Technology Owerri, which will be powered by a 5MW solar hybrid system, and the University of Port Harcourt, where a 5.5MW system will be deployed.
These phases are designed to extend the benefits of clean, renewable energy to even more universities across the country, enhancing academic productivity and reducing operational costs.
A significant outcome of the forum was the signing of a Collaborative Agreement between REA-NEP and beneficiary institutions. This agreement formalizes the roles and responsibilities of universities in maintaining the solar hybrid power plants. It clearly outlines the commitment of both the REA and the institutions to uphold the sustainability framework.
Key provisions of the agreement include capacity building for university technical staff, regular maintenance protocols, and financial responsibility for ongoing operational costs. Universities that fail to adhere to the sustainability guidelines will not be able to hold REA accountable for any performance issues with the power plants.
Representatives from 15 universities signed the agreement during the forum, committing to upholding the sustainability framework outlined by the REA. Among the signatories were the University of Abuja, Federal University of Technology Owerri, and the University of Uyo. Other universities are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.
“We recognize the immense value of this partnership with REA and are fully committed to playing our role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the power plants,” said Prof. Ezeoha, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI).
The Energizing Education Programme is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes alternative energy solutions for underserved communities. Through the EEP, REA is supporting Nigeria’s education sector by providing consistent, reliable energy that enables universities to operate more efficiently.
The REA remains committed to expanding the program and continuing its support for institutions across Nigeria, ensuring that the Energizing Education Programme fulfills its potential to transform educational infrastructure through sustainable energy.
