Federal University Lokoja has been selected as one of the eight (8) universities in Nigeria to benefit from the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and African Development Bank (AfDB)’s interventions in the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) worth $200 million towards providing electricity to over 500,000 people and connect up to 800,000 households per year to achieve the electricity-for-all target by 2030 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) is a nationwide initiative aimed at delivering energy access to communities across the country and is currently engaging eight public universities in Nigeria to boost electricity supply. After the implementation, the universities will receive new or improved access to electricity services at a least-cost and in a timely manner through off- and mini-grid solutions.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Angela Freeman Miri was among the Vice-Chancellors of the eight public universities that participated in the virtual meeting tagged “NEP/AfDB Component 3: Energizing Education Programme Phase III” on Thursday, 4th June, 2020. Similarly, Engr. Olukayode Adedayo Ojo, the Acting Director of Physical Planning and Development Department (PP&DD) of the University had also participated in the online interaction.

The Component 3 Power Systems will support the construction and operations of solar mini-grid for beneficiary universities and teaching hospitals and will be implemented by REA in collaboration with the universities. Contractor(s) will be engaged directly by REA to construct the power systems, which will then be operated by the universities.

In her remarks during the online presentation, Professor Miri lauded the initiative and described it as a welcome development that will address most of the current power challenges faced by many universities in Nigeria. She expressed gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and African Development Bank (AfDB) for the kind gesture, especially for choosing Federal University Lokoja as one of the tertiary institutions to benefit from the intervention.

The project which is funded by the African Development Bank will be implemented in phases across these universities with a sustainability plan for at least 15 years post-commissioning. While the project is technology neutral, it is expected that most of the power requirements under the project will be generated by solar technology. At the end of the implementation, all the eight universities will have access to reliable electricity as well as improved and modernized electricity services, amongst others.