FG installs 2-MW solar mini-grid at Dangote varsity Wudil, plans 200 streetlights

The Energy Commission of Nigeria, ECN, has installed a 2-megawatt solar mini-grid at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, ADUST, Wudil, in Kano State, as part of efforts to boost sustainable power supply in tertiary institutions.

The commission also pledged to provide no fewer than 200 solar-powered streetlights for the state-owned university.

The project is part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Solarisation Initiative under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking during the commissioning of Phase I of the project on Friday, ECN Director-General, Mustapha Abdullahi, said the intervention was designed to address the institution’s energy deficit and improve power reliability.

According to him, ADUST, with a population of over 24,000 students and more than 2,400 staff, requires between 12.3 and 16.4 megawatts of electricity. However, its current connected load is only about 8.26MW.

Mr Abdullahi noted that the solar mini-grid would significantly reduce the university’s energy costs, revealing that the institution spends an average of N22.4 million monthly on electricity, while its diesel backup capacity remains limited.

He explained that the project followed comprehensive technical processes, including energy audits, load assessments, site surveys and system design.

“The Energy Commission’s commitment to this institution does not end at 2MW. The Phase I system will deliver a complete, intelligent energy infrastructure,” he said.

He added that the solar photovoltaic system would be integrated with battery energy storage to ensure power supply beyond daylight hours and deployed in decentralised clusters to enhance efficiency and resilience.

According to him, the system will be managed through a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, SCADA, centre, enabling real-time monitoring of power generation, distribution and system performance. Solar-powered streetlights will also be installed to improve campus security.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai, described the project as a major milestone in the institution’s development.

He commended the ECN leadership for its support, noting that the intervention would enhance sustainability, innovation and academic excellence.

Mr Yakasai added that the planned installation of 200 solar streetlights, with a further pledge for an additional 200 units, would improve safety across the campus.

He also acknowledged other forms of support from the commission, including assistance during the 2025 Nigerian University Games, NUGA, preliminaries and the approval of a “Train-the-Trainer” programme on the Nigeria Energy Calculator (NECAL 2050), aimed at strengthening staff capacity in energy planning and policy.