The Federal Government plans to install solar mini-grids in public institutions nationwide, allocating ₦100 billion under the 2025 budget.
The initiative, part of the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative, aims to lower governance costs by reducing spending on diesel, generators, and maintenance.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.
Aliyu stated that once the budget is approved and signed by President Bola Tinubu, the REA will begin the electrification project to provide reliable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly power to government institutions.
He noted that the government has reviewed energy budgets for public institutions and highlighted the high costs of diesel and generator maintenance.
“If you also check within the budget, you’ll see a new initiative of Mr. President, which was presented by the Honourable Minister of Power, called the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative—a new concept designed to reduce the cost of governance. A N100 billion has been allocated for it.
He noted that significant funds are spent annually on fuel procurement and generator repairs across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). “To address that, the funding is being provided for us to now solarize these institutions. That amount of expenditure in our national budget meant for diesel purchase, generator purchase, and repairs can be channeled to other relevant sectors of the Nigerian economy.,” Aliu said.
Aliyu revealed that solar mini-grids would be installed in universities and teaching hospitals as part of the project. He cited the recent protest by University of Ibadan students over a 100-day power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), where Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu assured them that electricity would
“The UCH is part of the five institutions we are looking at. We are also targeting the University of Lagos, the University of Ibadan plus its teaching hospital, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Ahmadu Bello University,” he stated.
Aliyu outlined an ambitious timeline, stating that within six months, the REA will complete at least two of eight planned mini-grids for universities and one for a teaching hospital.
Additionally, at least 60 mini-grids will be commissioned, and 40 interconnect grids will be deployed to enhance energy reliability in public institutions.
