The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has promised to take all federal universities off the national grid within six months and power them with solar energy.

‎He gave the assurance at the commissioning of a 3-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja, formerly known as the University of Abuja.

Tegbe also promised that the Federal Government will fix the challenges in the power sector under this administration.

He said the project will improve electricity supply for about 40,000 students and over 3,500 staff. He noted that reliable power is critical for teaching, research and digital services.

The minister said government has created the Renewable Asset Management Company, RAMCO, to ensure renewable energy projects are properly managed and sustained.

The 3-megawatt project was built under the Energizing Education Programme by the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, with funding from the World Bank.

‎REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, said the programme has provided clean energy to 22 federal universities and three teaching hospitals. He said over 100 megawatts have been deployed, benefiting more than 600,000 students and 50,000 staff.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, said dependable power is needed for teaching, laboratory work and innovation, and assured that the university will maintain the facility.

Senate Committee Chairman on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the project shows how energy policy can improve lives and pledged that the National Assembly will continue to support sustainable power projects.