The University of Benin has lauded the Federal Government for approving N68.7 billion for solar minigrid electricity project in eight universities across the country.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Edoba Omoregie (SAN), said this yesterday in Benin through a statement signed by the institution’s Spokesman, Dr Benedicta Ehanire.
Omoregie described the approval as a decisive step towards strengthening research and learning in Nigeria’s higher institutions.
The vice-chancellor noted that President Bola Tinubu had “fulfilled his promise of upscaling tertiary education in the country through targeted funding of pressing needs.
“The President’s gesture confirms his commitment to the provision of stable electricity supply in higher institutions to boost research and learning as part of efforts to reposition public tertiary institutions for national development.”
Recall that the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, had announced the approval of the funds on July 31 at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
The benefiting institutions in the current phase are the University of Benin, University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Others include the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Federal University, Dutse and Federal University, Wukari.
The project tagged: Energising Education is the 4th Phase of the Federal Government’s strategic plan to provide stable and affordable electricity for federal public tertiary institutions across the country.
The minister said that the project, being facilitated through the Rural Electrification Agency of the Federal Government, was expected to be completed in less than nine months.