In a bold move to tackle power challenges in critical sectors, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved contracts worth ₦68.7 billion to boost electricity access in federal universities, teaching hospitals, and rural communities across Nigeria.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Adelabu, the approval reflects the administration’s unwavering commitment to reforming the power sector and ensuring consistent, reliable electricity for national development.
“This administration is focused on improving power supply to institutions central to our growth — education and health,” Adelabu said.
“We are committed to ending the era of blackouts and energy crises in our universities and teaching hospitals.”
The first phase of the project, under the Energising Education Programme and facilitated through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), aims to deliver sustainable electricity to eight federal universities and their teaching hospitals using solar power.
Institutions listed in this phase include the University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Ibadan and UCH, University of Calabar, and Federal University Wukari.
Adelabu noted that this initiative will relieve institutions of high energy costs and support a conducive environment for learning, research, and healthcare.
“We’ve seen success stories at the University of Abuja, NDA, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University. With this scale-up, we expect a full transformation within seven to nine months,” he added.
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In a parallel project, FEC also approved renewable energy deployments targeting rural agricultural hubs.
The initiative, part of REA’s Agricultural Centres of Excellence programme, will power rural businesses, especially those engaged in agro-processing.
“This goes beyond lighting homes,” Adelabu explained. “We are powering rural productivity — grinding machines, processing plants, water pumps — all powered by solar.”
The minister said the intervention will enable small and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas to access clean energy tools for value addition, job creation, and improved livelihoods.
The contracts, which include VAT, will be implemented within three months for the rural components and up to nine months for institutional installations.
“This marks another milestone in our national power reform journey,” Adelabu said. “Our universities, hospitals, and rural economies will no longer be left in the dark.”
The federal government says these projects are aligned with its Renewed Hope Agenda and broader goals to decentralize development and improve quality of life at all levels of society.