The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a total of ₦213.7 billion for major renewable energy projects aimed at electrifying eight federal universities, one teaching hospital, and several rural communities across Nigeria.
The approval, announced on Thursday, is part of the federal government’s strategy to expand access to clean, sustainable energy in critical sectors including education, health, and agriculture, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, explained that the funds were approved for two key initiatives: ₦145 billion for solar hybrid power systems under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), and ₦68.7 billion for solar installations in rural communities and agricultural clusters.
₦145 Billion for Universities and Teaching Hospital
According to Chief Adelabu, the ₦145 billion allocation covers the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) of solar hybrid power systems in eight federal universities and one teaching hospital. This phase will be executed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, with a completion window of 7 to 9 months.
Beneficiary institutions include:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan
- Federal University, Wukari (Taraba State)
Adelabu noted that additional institutions will be confirmed as implementation progresses. He stressed that the intervention would drastically cut energy costs, reduce reliance on diesel generators, and improve conditions for teaching, research, and healthcare services.
“This is a major milestone in the transformation of our tertiary education infrastructure,” he said.
This phase builds on earlier efforts under the World Bank-backed EEP, which has already delivered mini-grid systems to institutions such as the University of Abuja (3MW), UNN (12MW), University of Calabar (8MW), and the Nigerian Defence Academy (2.6MW).
₦68.7 Billion for Off-grid Agricultural Clusters
The second approval, worth ₦68.7 billion, will power off-grid rural communities and agricultural clusters. Also to be implemented by the REA, this initiative focuses on energising homes, agro-processing centres, cold storage facilities, and small rural enterprises.
The project, to be delivered within three months, targets Agricultural Centres of Excellence and is similarly funded under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.
“The goal here is not just lighting homes, but energizing agriculture, creating jobs, and enabling value addition right in the communities,” the Minister stated.
Adelabu emphasised that both interventions underscore the Tinubu administration’s commitment to making reliable electricity a catalyst for inclusive national development. He added that the projects would serve as scalable models for renewable energy adoption in education, health, and agricultural sectors nationwide.
“These approvals reaffirm our commitment to bridging the energy access gap, ensuring no Nigerian is left behind as we transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable, and economically viable power sector,” Adelabu concluded.
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