REA and Nine Universities Sign Agreements for Affordable, Sustainable Electricity

In a bid to provide cheaper and sustainable electricity, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and nine universities have signed agreements under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP). The signing took place during the 2024 EEP Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum (SEF), held in Abuja.

The institutions involved include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State, which signed for a 1.1MW solar hybrid system, and Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, which will benefit from an 8.4MW gas-powered system. Other universities such as the Federal University of Technology, Akure (1.0MW solar hybrid) and the University of Port Harcourt (5.5MW solar hybrid) also signed agreements.

This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes expanding alternative energy access in underserved communities. The Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, noted that although tariffs are yet to be finalized, renewable energy sources will offer cheaper alternatives.

The three-day forum saw participation from key stakeholders, including university administrators and international partners like the World Bank and the African Development Bank. The event focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the solar hybrid plants deployed across various institutions.

The Energizing Education Programme, launched in 2018 by the Federal Government, aims to provide reliable power to 37 universities and 7 affiliated teaching hospitals across Nigeria. The agreements signed during this forum mark significant progress in improving energy access and educational outcomes.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, emphasized the importance of energy access in driving economic growth and enhancing educational opportunities. He highlighted that reliable electricity allows institutions to extend learning hours, utilize educational technologies, and create safer, more productive environments.