President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a significant investment of ₦70 billion to support the TETFund Mini-Grid Solar Project, which is part of the 2025 Tertiary Education Trust Fund initiative. This project aims to introduce clean and renewable energy to universities and colleges across Nigeria. By doing so, it seeks to lessen the country’s dependency on diesel generators and the unreliable national power supply. Ultimately, this initiative will help create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly atmosphere for students and academic institutions.
A Bold Step Toward Renewable Energy in Education
At the 2025 TETFund National Town Hall Meeting in Abuja, the Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, announced an exciting new initiative from the federal government aimed at enhancing education through innovation and better infrastructure.
The initiative focuses on the TETFund Mini-Grid Solar Project, which will roll out in phases, starting with twelve universities located across different regions of Nigeria. The selected universities include:
- Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno State
- Northwest University, Kano
- Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State
- Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri, Imo State
- Lagos State University, Lagos
- Plus seven other institutions participating in the pilot phase
Masari explained that this project will provide solar energy systems that can generate clean, independent power for classrooms, labs, libraries, and administrative offices. This means that universities will have reliable electricity, which could lower energy costs and promote a more environmentally friendly approach to power consumption.
“The solar project is our way of responding to the global shift towards sustainable energy,” Masari said. “Not only will it ensure these universities have a steady power supply, but it will also serve as a great learning opportunity for students studying engineering and renewable energy.”
Boosting Academic Productivity and Transparency
Masari emphasized that TETFund, under President Tinubu’s leadership, is focused on making Nigeria’s higher education system more transparent, inclusive, and accountable. He pointed out some significant achievements of the Fund, such as supporting over 3,300 students pursuing Master’s degrees and 4,700 PhD candidates through its Academic Staff Development Program. The Fund is also committed to enhancing teaching practices, helping with conference participation, and fostering research innovation.
Additionally, initiatives like the TETFund Mini-Grid Solar Project aim to provide Nigerian universities with sustainable facilities and create competitive learning environments. Masari reiterated the Fund’s goal of ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the job market, entrepreneurial, and equipped to tackle real-world problems, while always aligning its efforts with the country’s development plans.
Policy Alignment and Federal Support
In a statement, Arc. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, expressed his appreciation to President Tinubu for his strong support of higher education in Nigeria. This support includes an increase in the education tax from 2.5% to 3%, which has greatly boosted the financial resources available for education.
Echono mentioned that the Fund has put a hold on foreign training programs for now, except for special courses, until a new set of guidelines is established. These guidelines aim to ensure that scholars return home and contribute to the country’s development, rather than staying overseas after their studies. He said, “The President has instructed that every scholar supported by the government must come back to help our nation grow.” The focus now is on strengthening local education and creating opportunities for new ideas and innovations.
He also highlighted the TETFund Mini-Grid Solar Project, which aligns with Nigeria’s plan to transition to cleaner energy and aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2060. He emphasized that education plays a vital role in achieving this goal. The project will also help meet global goals related to affordable energy and quality education.
Stakeholders Call for Responsible Expansion of Universities
During a recent town hall meeting, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, a former leader of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), expressed concerns about the rapid creation of new universities by state governments. He pointed out that many of these institutions are often set up as “constituency projects,” primarily to enable access to educational funding from TETFund.
Osodeke proposed that the National Assembly should create a law that would prevent newly established universities from receiving TETFund support until they have been operational for five to ten years. He believes this approach would help protect the integrity of the Fund and ensure that investments are made where they can truly make an impact.
“Quality should come before quantity,” Osodeke emphasized. He argued that TETFund’s resources should be allocated to universities that already have strong foundations and proven results.
Partnerships and Future Prospects
Industry experts have praised the TETFund Mini-Grid Solar Project, highlighting its potential to set a national standard for using renewable energy in schools.
By working with local solar energy companies and research organizations, TETFund aims to provide students with hands-on experience in setting up, monitoring, and maintaining solar energy systems. This approach not only promotes energy independence but also creates job training and employment opportunities for graduates in renewable energy, a field that is increasingly in demand worldwide.
Additionally, the project plans to connect the solar power systems to digital learning platforms. This will ensure that schools have a reliable power source for online learning, smart classrooms, and research labs, enhancing the educational experience for students.