Receives Representative on Energy Audit in the Institution

The Vice-Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, has appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) and its collaborator, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), to consider extending the proposed solar mini-grid project beyond the main campus in Lapai to the University’s satellite locations.

Professor Sulaiman made the appeal while receiving the technical team from the REA, who were on campus to carry out an energy audit as part of the first phase of the solar power intervention project. He emphasized that this move would not only serve as a corporate social responsibility gesture to the Lapai community but also enhance access to clean and sustainable energy across the University’s outreach centers.

“It is no longer news that most universities in Nigeria, including IBBUL, are burdened by exorbitant electricity bills, which consume a significant portion of our limited resources,” the Vice-Chancellor lamented.

“We would be immensely grateful if the federal government, through TETfund and REA, could support us by providing alternative power solutions such as solar energy to ease this financial strain.”

He further noted that adopting solar energy would not only reduce operational costs but also promote environmental sustainability through reduced carbon emissions.

“This initiative is not just about cost-saving. It’s about embracing green energy that is cleaner and easier to maintain, and more reliable. Currently, we spend heavily on maintenance replacing broken poles, dealing with faults, and purchasing diesel. With a solar mini-grid, we can redirect those funds to other critical areas of need within the University,” he said

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted a recent incident where prolonged power outages disrupted student examinations between late March and April. Due to limited supply from the distribution company, stressing that students endured extreme heat conditions during the exams, an experience that the University Management is determined to prevent in future.

Professor Sulaiman reaffirmed the institution’s readiness to support the REA technical team throughout the auditing process and reiterated his appeal for the extension of the project to all University satellite campuses as part of a broader strategy to ensure inclusive and equitable access to renewable energy solutions.

In his remarks, the REA representative, Engineer Richard Yaro, explained the purpose of the visit and assured the University community of the Agency’s commitment to delivering a sustainable energy solution.

“We are here today in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) to conduct a comprehensive energy audit across the entire University,” he stated.

“The purpose of this audit is to assess the Institution’s current energy consumption and determine its total load demand. This is a crucial step in our plan to deploy a solar mini-grid system that will serve the entire University community by understanding its energy needs.