ABU’s persistent electricity challenges to end soon — REA MD

The persistent electricity challenges faced by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna would soon be a thing of the past, as the institution has been selected as one of the seven universities to benefit from the special intervention project under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.

Under the project, the Rural Electricity Agency (REA) will build a 12MW solar plant as a grant to the University, an intervention which is expected to significantly address the institution’s electricity challenges and enhance its operational efficiency.

Building the solar plant will commence immediately and the project will be completed by December 2025.

Similarly, the REA Managing Director assured that the agency will work closely with Ahmadu Bello University to develop a sustainable energy model that ensures reliable power supply at a minimal cost to the University.

The minimal cost will cover asset replacement as well as operations and maintenance to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.

Already, ABU and REA agreed to sign a term sheet to formalise the collaboration in the coming weeks.

Disclosing the cheering news was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electricity Agency (REA), Alhaji Abba Abubakar Aliyu, when the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, led a high-level delegation on a courtesy visit to REA headquarters in Abuja.

When completed, the project will not only enhance the institution’s operational efficiency but also reduce its reliance on expensive and unreliable grid power.

Speaking during the courtesy visit to the REA, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, expressed the University’s immense gratitude to the agency for its support and reaffirmed ABU’s commitment to collaborating with the agency to ensure the success of the project.

“The University looks forward to the timely intervention of the project and the positive impact it will have on the University community”, he said.

Ahmadu Bello University has been grappling with perennial electricity problems for years. This has significantly disrupted academic, administrative, and research activities, while high electricity costs continue to strain the University’s limited resources.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied on the visit to the agency by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Advancement, Prof. Aliyu Rafindadi Sanusi; Prof. Boyi Jimoh of the Department of Electrical Engineering; Director, Institute of Development Research and Training, Dr Muhammad Kabir Salihu; and Head of Bulk Metering, Engr. Dahiru Dalhat.