By Njoku Jennifer
The University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, is set for a major transformation as the Federal Government approves funds for the implementation of a Solar Minigrid Project alongside seven other notable federal universities.
The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edoba Omoregie, SAN, praised the current President, Sir Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for keeping his word on uplifting the funding of the tertiary education sector in the country.
According to Professor Omoregie, the President’s gesture of upliftment attests to his willingness to commit to the provision of a stable supply of electricity in the tertiary sector, as it would aid the growth of academic learning and versatile research processes necessary for national development.
The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, announced the approval of the funding after an Executive Council meeting chaired by the President.
The Federal Executive Council, after the meeting, tagged the project “Energising Education” as the fourth phase of the Federal Government’s plan to ensure the stability and affordability of electricity in federal universities across the country.
The strategic project, aided through the Rural Electrification Agency of the Federal Government, is expected to be finalized in less than nine months. The Underlisted institutions are enlisted to benefit from this, the University of Benin, the University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Ibadan. Others are Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the Federal University, Dutse, and the Federal University, Wukari.