Yemisi Izuora
The project of providing uninterrupted and affordable electricity to tertiary institutions in Nigeria by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is gaining traction as the Agency and Galaxy Backbone (GBB) have forged partnership to transform Nigerian universities with electricity and internet.
Both organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday in Abuja, to establish inclusive development aimed at collaborating on initiatives to drive economic growth, financial inclusion and digital economy.
The Managing Director of REA, Alhaji Abba Aliyu, highlighted the importance of electricity in catalysing socio-economic activities in communities.
Aliyu said that the lack of electricity was costing the country 25 billion dollars annually, adding that the current administration is working towards changing this narrative.
According to him, REA has already started deploying hybrid mini-grids in several universities across the country, providing reliable and sustainable electricity to the institutions.
“Today, we are planting the seed for the development of small, medium, and micro enterprises across the country.
“We are enhancing the governance of this country by making public institutions to become more efficient, to operate with less cost, and also have all the necessary digital requirements to carry out their functions.
“The nexus between electricity, financial inclusion and digital economy cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.
Aliyu said that electricity was crucial to achieving financial inclusion and enhancing digital value that has been created within communities.
He said that the National Powers Public Sector Solarisation Initiative had already received initial funding and was expected to be rolled out to several federal institutions in Abuja.
He said that the agency planned to extend this initiative to all federal universities in the country, providing uninterrupted electricity and internet access.
“Imagine universities being provided with interrupted electricity and internet access.
“Just imagine the quantum of innovation, the level of research, how easy it will make the lives of students and academic staff in these universities. This is what we seek.
“Imagine providing access of internet and electricity to the lowest micro-level of the sub-national, the local government level. Imagine how we will transform local government administration,” he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of GBB, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, recognised the importance of reliable and sustainable energy systems in supporting digital transformation.
Adeyanju said that REA, with its expertise in expanding energy access to remote communities, was the perfect partner to collaborate with.
He said that the collaboration was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s digitalisation agenda.
According to him, it is seen as a blueprint for how government institutions could work together effectively, leveraging each other’s strengths to deliver sustainable impact.
“You need internet connectivity, so coming together, bringing energy and bringing digital power is something very powerful. It is a union of two powerful agencies.
“Digital transformation cannot happen in isolation. It must be supported by reliable, sustainable energy systems, especially in the underserved and rural areas.
“REA has consistently demonstrated excellence and innovation in expanding energy access to remote communities, empowering small businesses, higher institutions of learning and enabling critical institutions to function efficiently,” he said.
He said that the agency’s work in deploying renewable energy solutions across the country was not only commendable, but also transformational.
“We will be working with REA, empowering university hostels with small-scale solar solutions in addition to the fibre connectivity,” he said.
The collaboration will focus on providing electricity and internet access to local government areas, transforming local government administration, and promoting innovation and research in universities.