…Install N3.2Bn Mini Solar Grid
The Nigerian Energy Commission (ECN) has commissioned 200 Solar Street Lights at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Kano, as part of President Tinubu’s energy-renewed hopes agenda.
The Director General of the Commission, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, who led the Minister of Science and Technology, Kingsley Tocheukwu, commissioned the 2 megawatt Solar Mini grid for the Generation of Power at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil on Friday.
He said the Phase I system will deliver a complete, intelligent energy infrastructure.
The solar photovoltaic array will be paired with a battery energy storage system for power continuity beyond daylight hours, it will be installed in decentralised clusters not a single large installation to improve resilience and ease management.
Adding that all clusters will be coordinated through a SCADA supervisory control and data acquisition centre, giving the university real-time visibility of generation, load distribution, and system health.
“Solar streetlights will be incorporated to secure both the installations and the broader campus environment.
The technical personnel designated for Operation and Maintenance will be embedded in this project from inception trained in system operations, fault diagnosis, and performance monitoring before we hand over a single panel.
He further notes that the groundbreaking at Wudil follows their ceremony at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in September 2025 where a 4MW system is being installed and last week’s groundbreaking at Bayero University Kano.
“Each project is a standalone delivery and a building block in a national programme covering hospitals and tertiary institutions in all 36 states and the FCT. The contract for this project, worth N3,799,747,000.00, has been awarded to Safiatu Global Resources Limited with a firm three-month completion”.
“These contributions are numerous and impactful. They include the supply and installation of 200 units of solar streetlights across our campus, with a further pledge to provide an additional 200 units to enhance safety and sustainability. We are equally grateful for the substantial financial support extended to the University during the 2025 NUGA Games preliminaries hosted here.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Musa Tukur hints that approval granted for the “Train-the-Trainer” programme on the application of the Nigeria Energy Calculator (NECAL 2050) has positioned our staff at the forefront of energy planning and policy tools. This is a significant step in strengthening our academic and research capacity.
He said, discussions are ongoing for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy Research within our University which we hope to be actualised with the usual support and assistance of Honourable Abubakar Kabir Abubakar (Abba Bichi).
Similarly, the realisation of this single significant and gigantic project ever received by the University since its inception 25 years ago—the award and execution of the 2 megawatt solar mini-grid valued at approximately ₦3.8 billion facilitated by the able Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi will remain indelible in the history of the University.
