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“This is more than electricity; it is innovation, training, and transformation in action.”
These were some of the sentiments shared during the recent AfriLabs Study Tour to the 3MW solar hybrid power plant at Yakubu Gowon University, a flagship project under the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) Phase II, implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) through the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP).
Framed around the theme of cross-sector collaboration and knowledge sharing, the visit brought members of AfriLabs, a leading pan-African network of innovation hubs for a firsthand experience of how clean energy infrastructure is powering education, skills development, and sustainability at scale.
Led by the REA-NEP team, the delegation toured key parts of the project site including the 3MW solar hybrid generation plant, battery storage facilities, and the on-site Renewable Energy Workshop and Training Centre (WTC) - a cornerstone of NEP’s institutional capacity-building model.
Currently delivering an average of 1.78MW of off-grid power to classrooms, laboratories, and hostels, the system has not only improved power reliability across the university campus but also contributed to a reduction of over 1.84 kilotonnes in carbon emissions underscoring REA’s commitment to climate-friendly electrification.
During the engagement, the AfriLabs team engaged with technical experts from EMONE, the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor behind the project. Discussions spanned topics such as project financing, design architecture, system maintenance, and long-term sustainability - key learning points for innovation leaders across Africa’s growing tech ecosystem.
More than just a power solution, the project’s Workshop & Training Centre serves as a learning lab for students and technicians alike equipping them with real-world skills in solar technology and off-grid energy systems.
“What REA and its partners have achieved here provides critical learning for innovation hubs, energy entrepreneurs, and development actors across the continent,” said a member of the AfriLabs delegation.
This visit is part of REA’s broader push to connect energy infrastructure with innovation ecosystems creating models that are scalable, replicable, and community-led. As DARES and NEP continue to expand access to reliable, sustainable power across public institutions in Nigeria, partnerships like these reflect the agency’s belief that energy access is not just a development target but a foundation for innovation and growth.
