The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated ₦100 billion in the 2025 budget, which is awaiting passage in the National Assembly, to implement solar mini-grids at selected government institutions, federal universities, and their associated teaching hospitals.
The initiative is part of the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Power, aimed at reducing energy costs and promoting climate-friendly power solutions across public institutions.
Abba Aliyu, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), explained that once the budget is passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, his agency will begin the deployment of these solar mini-grids.
The goal is to provide reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy solutions, replacing the costly and environmentally harmful reliance on diesel and generators.
The REA’s new program has already made progress. Solar mini-grids have been deployed in several institutions, including the University of Maiduguri, which now benefits from a hybrid mini-grid providing 12 megawatts of power to the university and its teaching hospital.
Aliyu confirmed that the agency has recently completed interventions in seven universities and two teaching hospitals, ensuring 24-hour reliable electricity through hybrid mini-grids.
As part of the new initiative, Aliyu stated that five universities, including the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Ahmadu Bello University, along with their teaching hospitals, will be among the first to receive solar mini-grids.
He emphasized that the process of deploying these mini-grids will begin in the next six months, with the aim to commission at least 60 mini-grids before the end of the year and start the deployment of 40 interconnect grids to ensure greater energy reliability.
The REA has outlined its commitment to starting the solarisation process with key government institutions, as part of a broader effort to reduce the high costs of power generation and improve energy access in critical public sectors.
The commissioning of these new solar mini-grids will begin as early as April, marking the next phase in the country’s move towards a more sustainable and affordable energy future.
