FEC Approves ₦68.7bn Power Boost for Universities, Teaching Hospitals

In a move aimed at bolstering power supply to critical institutions, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has sanctioned ₦68.7 billion for electricity projects targeted at universities and teaching hospitals across Nigeria.

The announcement was made by Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, following Thursday’s FEC meeting, chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He emphasised that the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing consistent electricity in sectors essential to national development, such as health and education.

The university project, part of the Energising Education Programme, will be executed through the Rural Electrification Agency and involves engineering, procurement, and construction efforts.

“This initiative aims to ease the energy cost burden on universities and hospitals by providing reliable, good-quality electricity,” Adelabu stated.

The minister described the current electricity situation in some institutions as “disturbing,” warning that inadequate power supply has compromised services in many schools and hospitals.

“The lack of stable power supply has created crises in some schools and hospitals, with institutions unable to afford local electricity,” he explained.

He also pointed to earlier efforts backed by the World Bank, which led to the deployment of renewable energy in institutions like the University of Abuja, University of Niger (12MW solar), Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (8MW), the Nigerian Defence Academy (2.6MW), and the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

Under the new funding, eight more universities and teaching hospitals will benefit. These include: University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Ibadan and its University College Hospital, University of Calabar, and Federal University, Wukari.

Adelabu revealed that the electrification of these institutions is expected to be completed within seven to nine months.

“This is another step to ensure our universities enjoy uninterrupted electricity. Our institutions will never be the same again,” he noted.

A second project approved by the FEC will focus on Agricultural Centres of Excellence in rural communities, utilising solar technology to power both homes and agro-processing operations.

“This goes beyond lighting homes; it supports productive use of solar-powered equipment in rural areas,” Adelabu said.

He explained that the program aims to empower micro and small agricultural enterprises through the provision of solar-powered tools, thereby boosting productivity in underserved regions.