The Federal Government, through the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), has flagged off a 2-megawatt solar hybrid power project worth N3.8 billion at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, Kano State.

The project, under the Renewed Hope Solarisation Programme, includes the installation of 200 solar-powered streetlights within the university.

The ceremony was led by the ECN Director-General, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh (SAN).

Dr Abdullahi said the contract, awarded to Safiatu Global Resources Limited, has a three-month completion deadline with no provision for cost variation.

The project aims to reduce the university’s N22.4 million monthly electricity bill and provide sustainable power.

Energy audits showed that ADUSTECH, with 24,339 students and staff, as well as 5,200 hostel bed spaces, has an energy demand of 12.3MW to 16.4MW, compared to a connected load of only 8.26MW. Its diesel backup capacity is just 2.07 MVA.

“This energy reality is unacceptable, and it is what we are here to begin addressing,” Abdullahi said.

He noted that while ECN’s technical recommendation for ADUSTECH is a 7MW solar mini-grid, the 2MW Phase 1 system flagged off is “a foundation designed for expansion.” The Phase 1 system will include a Battery Energy Storage System and will be installed in decentralised clusters.

Abdullahi added that the Wudil groundbreaking follows similar projects at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Bayero University, Kano, as part of a national programme targeting hospitals and tertiary institutions in all 36 states and the FCT.

Minister Tochukwu-Udeh described the project as “a strategic national policy, not philanthropy,” aimed at supporting innovations that address Nigeria’s challenges.

The ADUSTECH Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Musa Tukur-Yakasai, described it as “a bold step toward sustainable energy, innovation, and academic excellence.”