The Federal Ministry of Education on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), under a scheme titled, ‘‘Federal Government’s Energizing Education Programme (EPP).’’

The memorandum was signed at the solar-powered mini-grid site of the University of Abuja which is one of the beneficiaries of the initiative.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, stated that the supply of uninterrupted electricity to university communities would enhance student learning, improve staff productivity, support cutting-edge research and promote entrepreneurship to foster national economic growth.

Mr Alausa noted that the federal government programme for adequate supply of electricity was meant to be enjoyed by all federal and state-owned tertiary institutions.

According to the minister, 24 institutions are currently benefiting from the phase 1-3 of the scheme, including some teaching hospitals.

The eight additional universities, which would get four to six independent mini grids, with capacities between 2 and 10 megawatts, are the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Nigeria, Federal University Wukari, Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University Dutse, University of Benin and University of Ibadan.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, stated that the three existing phases, with some of the projects nearing completion, provided 100 megawatts of electricity to 600,000 students and 50,000 staff as beneficiaries.

A statement by the ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, emphasized that the ministry remained committed to widening collaborations with other institutional partners.

She stated, “The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms its commitment to deepening this transformative agenda through continued collaboration with REA and institutional partners across Nigeria and beyond.’’