Benin: The University of Benin has expressed its appreciation to the Federal Government for the recent approval of N68.7 billion dedicated to the solar mini-grid electricity project, aimed at powering eight universities nationwide.
This initiative, hailed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Edoba Omoregie (SAN), as a pivotal advancement for research and education, underscores President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing the infrastructure of higher education institutions and ensuring a reliable electricity supply to support academic growth and national development.
Omoregie further noted that President Bola Tinubu had “fulfilled his promise of upscaling tertiary education in the country through targeted funding of pressing needs.
“The President’s gesture confirms his commitment to the provision of stable electricity supply in higher institutions to boost research and learning as part of efforts to reposition public tertiary institutions for national development.”
Mr Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, had announced the approval of the funds on July 31 at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
The benefiting institutions in the current Phase are the University of Benin, University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Others include the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Federal University, Dutse and Federal University, Wukari.
The project, tagged Energising Education, is the 4th Phase of the Federal Government’s strategic plan to provide stable and affordable electricity for federal public tertiary institutions across the country.
The minister said that the project, being facilitated through the Rural Electrification Agency of the Federal Government, was expected to be completed in less than nine months.