Ncdmb Boosts UNIMAID Renewable Energy Training With New Solar Power Laboratory

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, through its Local Content Intervention Programme, has officially handed over a newly established Solar Power Laboratory to the University of Maiduguri. The intervention is set to strengthen practical training, teaching, and research in renewable energy within the institution.

The handover ceremony took place on Thursday, 13 August 2026, at the NCDMB Local Content Laboratory building located on the University of Maiduguri campus.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, expressed appreciation to the NCDMB and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful delivery of the facility.

Professor Mele noted that as a premier center for teaching and research, the University constantly requires modern infrastructure, practical facilities, and relevant equipment to provide students with top-tier learning experiences.

He emphasized that the new laboratory will give students greater opportunities to acquire hands-on knowledge and develop critical technical skills in solar energy. He added that cutting-edge facilities of this nature elevate teaching and research while exposing students to the practical, real-world aspects of their disciplines.

The Vice-Chancellor further stressed that practical skills and hands-on experience will significantly benefit both the students and the University by producing graduates equipped with the competencies needed in today's rapidly evolving renewable energy sector.

Shedding light on the technical details of the project, the contractor, Chief Bethel Ayeju, explained that the facility was conceptualized under the NCDMB Local Content Intervention Programme to support skills development, teaching, and robust research in solar energy. He disclosed that the project was completed within a 30-day timeline.

According to Chief Ayeju, the state-of-the-art laboratory is fully equipped to provide students with rigorous practical training in solar power generation, installation, and testing. The facility features eight 300-watt solar panels, two lithium batteries with capacities of 5 kilowatts and 8 kilowatts, a manual control system, and specialized testing kits. 

He added that the laboratory also houses a 650-watt panel system strategically designed to grant students direct, practical exposure to solar power generation, installation, and maintenance.

Ultimately, the establishment of the Solar Power Laboratory is expected to significantly enhance technical skills development, teaching, and research in renewable energy at the University of Maiduguri. It also aligns students with the demands of Nigeria’s rapidly growing clean energy sector.