The Energizing Education Programme (EEP), a flagship initiative by the Federal Government of Nigeria, has made substantial strides in transforming energy access in tertiary institutions. Managed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the programme aims to provide reliable, sustainable, and clean energy to 37 federal universities and 7 teaching hospitals using solar hybrid and gas-fired power systems.
As of May 2025, 24 institutions have been successfully powered through the programme, according to official reports from the Ministry of Power and supported by updates in Punch and Nairametrics. This marks a significant turnaround for a programme that, just five years ago, was mired in delays, stalled sites, and unfulfilled promises.
A Promising Start, Followed by Early Setbacks
The EEP was launched in 2016 with ambitious goals: reduce reliance on diesel generators, cut operational costs, support renewable energy education, and improve safety on campuses. Funded through Nigeria’s sovereign green bonds and with support from the World Bank and African Development Bank, the programme began with Phase I, targeting 9 federal universities and 1 teaching hospital.
However, a 2020 investigative report by TheCable revealed that only Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI) was fully powered by its installed solar plant. Other institutions, including Bayero University Kano (BUK), Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), had partially completed or non-functional installations. Some projects, like the one at University of Lagos (UNILAG), were stalled entirely, with only signposts marking construction sites.
Despite government claims at the time—such as a statement at the 2019 UN Climate Summit that “seven universities now run fully on solar”—the facts showed otherwise. The projects were at varying stages of readiness, with only one institution truly off the grid.
Renewed Progress from 2021 Onward
Following the initial stagnation, the Federal Government ramped up efforts post-2021. With the launch of EEP Phase II and Phase III, and fresh injections of capital—such as a $123 million facility from the African Development Bank—progress accelerated.
As of 2025, the REA confirms that 24 federal universities and teaching hospitals are now benefitting from completed and operational solar hybrid mini-grid systems. These institutions now enjoy 24-hour electricity for classrooms, labs, residences, and administrative buildings.
In addition, EEP Phase IV was launched in early 2025, bringing eight new institutions—including UNILAG, OAU, and FUTO—into the programme. The initiative will extend 24-hour renewable energy to these campuses using advanced solar and battery technology.
National Impact and Measurable Gains
The impacts of the EEP have been multi-dimensional:
- Academic Performance & Research: Steady electricity has revitalized learning environments. Night reading, lab experiments, and ICT-based instruction are now more accessible.
- Security: Over 2,850 solar-powered streetlights have improved safety on campuses, particularly for female students.
- Environmental Benefits: The shift away from diesel generators aligns with Nigeria’s Paris Agreement commitments and has helped reduce air and noise pollution across campuses.
- Skill Development: Renewable Energy Training Centres have been built within several universities to foster hands-on learning and develop the next generation of energy professionals.
- Gender Inclusion: The REA has trained over 350 female STEM students under its Female Internship Programme, advancing the role of women in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector.
Challenges That Persist
Despite this progress, some issues remain. Delays in procurement, weak contractor performance, and maintenance challenges have plagued certain sites. Moreover, sustaining these systems will require long-term planning, reliable O&M (Operations & Maintenance) structures, and continued funding support.
In response, the REA has implemented stronger monitoring systems and is negotiating performance-based contracts with third-party service providers to maintain the installations.
Lessons and the Road Ahead
The Energizing Education Programme is no longer an experiment—it is a model for off-grid energy intervention in Nigeria’s public sector. With 24 institutions now connected and more in progress, the programme is well on its way to reaching its 2027 target of 100% coverage of federal universities and teaching hospitals.
Its success underscores a critical lesson: while clean energy initiatives may face early setbacks, political will, patient investment, and transparent project management can eventually deliver transformative change.
In a nation where unreliable electricity has long crippled education and innovation, the EEP stands as a beacon—quite literally—of what’s possible when policy meets purpose.
