TETFund and REA to Collaborate on Power Supply for Universities
TETFUND highlighted the need for constant power supply in situations where specific samples need to be maintained at a certain temperature or during medical laboratory operations that require uninterrupted power.
AKACHI NOEL 
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is preparing to partner with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to universities and other tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to his office by the Managing Director of REA, Salihijo Ahmad. He commended REA's Energizing Education Programme (EEP), which is being implemented in select universities and teaching hospitals in the country. Echono emphasized the significance of a steady power supply for tertiary institutions, particularly for improving physical infrastructure, ICT infrastructure, and research capabilities.
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He highlighted the need for constant power supply in situations where specific samples need to be maintained at a certain temperature or during medical laboratory operations that require uninterrupted power. Echono stressed that reliable power is essential to creating a learning environment that can compete globally.
Echono called on REA to address challenges faced by beneficiary institutions under the EEP and revealed that TETFund would explore the possibility of securing long-term financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for future editions of the program. This long-term financing would be cost-effective compared to the short-term funds currently available.
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The Managing Director of REA, Salihijo, explained that the EEP aims to provide sustainable and clean power to 37 Federal Universities and seven university teaching hospitals across Nigeria. The program has already begun in 24 universities and select teaching hospitals, and Salihijo sought the cooperation of TETFund to ensure the program's overall success.
In conclusion, Salihijo stated that securing additional resources from TETFund would significantly enhance the EEP's expansion in Nigeria's universities.
