The Nigerian government has approved a swooping sum of N70 billion ($47.5 million) for the implementation of a Mini-Grid Solar Power Project across 12 public universities in Nigeria under the 2025 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) intervention cycle.
The Chairman of TETFund’s Board of Trustees, Aminu Bello Masari, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2025 TETFund National Town Hall Meeting.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, and representatives of academic unions.
Masari said the project will provide renewable and sustainable energy solutions to selected tertiary institutions, beginning with 12 universities in the first phase.
Beneficiaries include Nigerian Army University, Biu (Borno State); Northwest University, Kano; Ambrose Alli University, Edo State; Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri (Imo State); and Lagos State University, among others.
According to him, the solar initiative reflects the current administration’s effort to bridging energy gaps in higher institutions and driving sustainability through clean energy.
He described the town hall meeting as part of efforts to build a more transparent, inclusive, and innovation-driven tertiary education system.
Masari added that the solar initiative aligns with the federal government drive to close the energy gap in higher institutions and promote sustainability through clean power solutions.
Push for solarization in Nigeria’s energy mix
In a related development, the country’s government also unveiled plans to install solar energy systems in 37 universities and teaching hospitals nationwide to tackle persistent power shortages.
The Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Mustapha Abdullahi, disclosed this under the Renewed Hope Solarization Project.
The move aims to deliver two megawatts of clean energy to each university and its affiliated teaching hospital.
“This initiative will provide sustainable and reliable power to 37 federal universities across the 36 states and the FCT,”
“It will also oversee the installation of 2 MW solar hybrid systems in 37 tertiary hospitals.”the ECN said in a social media post
This aligns with the government’s growing emphasis on renewable energy and self-sufficiency in power generation.
As grid electricity remains unreliable, many institutions and businesses are turning to solar alternatives , a trend showing how Nigerians are quietly building their own energy independence.
