BY AKUDORO GLORIA

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, on Tuesday stated that Nigeria needs $10 billion annually over the next two decades to effectively address its longstanding electricity challenges.

Adelabu made this declaration during the commissioning ceremony of a 2.5-megawatt (MW) captive solar hybrid power project at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna State. The project is part of the Energizing Education Programme Phase II (EEP II).

This laudable milestone, implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is one of seven completed projects under EEP II. It aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which aims to diversify Nigeria’s energy sources and expand access to clean, reliable power in support of critical sectors.

Highlighting the role of renewable energy in achieving the government’s vision for a secure and self-reliant Nigeria, Adelabu stated:

“Powering the academy with renewable energy aligns with our vision for a secure, self-reliant, and energy-efficient Nigeria.”

The Minister also underscored the importance of partnership between the power sector and the military in advancing national development.

“We urge the continued collaboration of the Nigerian Armed Forces in safeguarding the sector’s infrastructure and workforce. The military’s role in protecting critical power assets is crucial, especially given the rising cases of vandalism and attacks on personnel across the country,” he said.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and CEO of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said that with more EEP II project commissions in the pipeline, the programme will deliver a total of 32MW of clean, reliable energy across beneficiary institutions—greatly enhancing the learning environment and supporting Nigeria’s national development goals.

Aliyu described the commissioning as a turning point in Nigeria’s journey toward inclusive energy access, particularly for learning institutions.

“This project represents more than just energy infrastructure. It is a catalyst for social development, research, and sustainability. EEP Phase II is not just an energy project, it is a national mission. We are delivering clean energy to power academic excellence, national security, and innovation,” he said.

In his remarks, the Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), Olufemi Akinyelure, urged the NDA management to assume full ownership and responsibility for the long-term sustainability of the project.

“For us at REA-NEP, sustainability is key. That’s why this project was designed with a long-term view from the technology deployed to the capacity-building components. We want to ensure that five, ten years from now, this plant is still running efficiently, powering this great institution and supporting the security architecture of our nation,” Akinyelure noted.

The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General A.K. Ibrahim, expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government and the REA, hailing the solar hybrid project as a much-needed enhancement to the academy’s infrastructure and operational efficiency.