July 06, (THEWILL) – The World Bank Mission, in partnership with the Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is to spend $750 million, to provide Solar energy to eight universities across the country and one Teaching Hospital, through the Energising Education and Access To Renewable Energy Scale-Up { D•A•R•E•S } programmes under phase two of the project.
Ashish Khanna, the World Bank Practice Manager for West Africa, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call to the Acting Governor of Borno state, Umar Kadafur, in Maiduguri, on Friday.
He said that already, the World Bank has expended $350 million in 7 universities and one Teaching Hospital under the second phase of the project, in which the University of Maiduguri and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital are the largest beneficiaries.
The second Phase of the Energising Education Programme will see the provision of solar hybrid power systems to seven Federal Universities which include University of Calabar & Teaching Hospital, University of Abuja, Nigerian Defence Academy, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal University Gashua, Yobe and University of Maiduguri, Borno state, as well as 2 associated University Teaching Hospitals across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
This phase includes the installation of streetlights for improved security, the construction of a world-class renewable energy workshop and training centre, and the upgrade of existing distribution infrastructure.
Furthermore, the REA is promoting gender inclusion by training twenty female STEM students from each beneficiary institution in solar PV system design and construction through the EEP STEM Internship Programme.
Khanna expressed the World Bank’s commitment to the Energising Education Project and Nigeria’s electrification and emphasised the project’s role in skill-building, job creation, and fostering innovation among students, especially female STEM students.
Earlier, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, the Managing Director/CEO, of Rural Electrification Agency, stressed the significance of providing electricity to tertiary institutions, adding that the second phase of the project funded by the World Bank aimed at providing 12kW of power, where 350,000 students, including impacting over 50,000 staff and non-academic staff will be benefitted.
He said the project, which is near completion under the Phase 2 project, will benefit seven universities and one teaching hospital.
“This is the World Bank’s first visit, and their support has been crucial in making this project a reality and Due to their confidence in the REA’s project implementation, the World Bank is providing an additional $750 million for the second phase of this program called distributed access to renewable energy scale-up (DARES )”, the MD said
Also, the Head of the Nigeria Electrification Project, Olufemi Akinyelure said, “Our mission is to create a sustainable future for Nigeria’s educational institutions. The EEP Phase II underscores our dedication to leveraging renewable energy solutions to drive academic excellence and gender inclusion in STEM fields.”
Responding, the Acting Governor, Hon.Umar Kadafur, assured the REA and the World Bank that the Borno state government is ready to partner with the agency in providing renewable energy to the citizens of the state.
He said if not because of the Gas Power Plant built by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited ( NNPCL), Maiduguri, the state capital would have been thrown into total darkness due to the vandalisation of the Electricity tower by the Boko Haram insurgents, adding that the state government is ready to partner with the Agency and World Bank in providing alternative source of power to the state apart national grid.
He also assured of the state government’s commitment to sustainable energy development and ensuring reliable electricity across Nigeria and underscored the state’s policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, increasing energy access in underserved communities, and fostering economic growth through innovative energy solutions.
He assured that the state government would prioritise the security of these projects, urging the university to maintain adequate safeguards.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Yahaya thanked the World Bank and the REA for considering the Institution in the second phase of the project and assured that the university will not only own the project but also collaborate with other organisations in training in the area of renewable energy to boost the economy of the university.
During the facility tour, Ashish Khanna also interacted with 20 female STEM students trained under the programme, highlighting the transformative impact of the EEP. This visit underscores the REA’s dedication to advancing renewable energy solutions with a skilled and empowered workforce.
The Energising Education Programme is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) implemented by the REA to deliver dedicated captive solar hybrid power systems to 37 Federal Universities and 7 University Teaching Hospitals nationwide.
Phase I of the EEP has already been implemented with Phase II, funded by the World Bank nearing completion, will extend these benefits to additional institutions.
