The long-standing challenges of epileptic power supply and the enormous financial burden of electricity at Bayero University, Kano will soon become history, as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has officially commissioned a major national project to resuscitate the University’s Solar Power Plant and upgrade its capacity from 3.5 megawatts to 6 megawatts. This landmark initiative marks a significant turning point in BUK’s commitment to sustainable, reliable, and cost-efficient energy.
The Managing Director of the Agency, Dr. Abba Aliyu Abubakar, launched the mega project during an iconic but brief ceremony on Thursday, 20th November 2025. While unveiling the project, the Managing Director explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the 2025 national budget, approved ₦100 billion for the National Public Centre of Solarization Initiative, a programme designed by the Executive Director, Technical Services. He stated that the initiative aims to provide clean electricity, reduce dependence on fuel, and cut operational costs across major public institutions.
He announced that BUK is one of the beneficiaries of this transformational programme, explaining that under the intervention, “we are to fix the existing 3.5MW infrastructure, and at the same time increase the capacity to 6 megawatts. What this means in turn is to change the entire storage system that exists, bringing in new LED Iron battery, upgrading the inverters, upgrading the distribution network, segregating critical and non-critical areas, and at the same time increasing the panels by additional 2.5 megawatt capacity. This is what BUK is going to benefit from. And we are really grateful to Mr President for providing this. And Bayero University is just one of the 26 Universities that would benefit from this,” he added.
Expressing deep excitement for the President’s intervention in BUK and acknowledging the commitment of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Haruna Musa, the Managing Director described himself as a proud alumnus of the University. He praised BUK’s outstanding ranking as Nigeria’s top university in international visibility and expressed his hope of seeing BUK rise into the global league of top-ranked universities.
In an interview with BUK Bulletin, the Managing Director assured the University community that the Federal Government has already established “a strong and sustainable maintenance mechanism,” with technical, operational, and financial structures in place to ensure the long-term viability of the project.
A visibly elated Vice-Chancellor, Professor Haruna Musa, fsi, speaking on behalf of the University Governing Council, the Senate, management, staff, students, and the entire BUK community, expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu and the MD/CEO of REA for this historic groundbreaking intervention. He remarked:
“As we are all aware, this solar plant was established in 2014 as part of the Federal Government’s solarization initiative, and when it commenced operation, it had drastically reduced the dependence of Bayero University Kano on the national grid while lowering our monthly energy bill. However, along the line, the plant went down due to some technical issues. We are therefore happy to gather here today to witness not only the resuscitation of the 3.5 megawatt plant but to also launch its upgrade and expansion to a 6 megawatt solar plant.”
The Vice-Chancellor further described the solarization of Nigerian institutions as “an excellent initiative,” expressing confidence that once completed, the project will significantly address BUK’s energy challenges. “As we are all aware, our dreams to make Nigerian Universities top-class and globally competitive would not be a reality without stable power supply. It is therefore on this note that, on behalf of the University Management, we acknowledge and appreciate the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria towards this solarization project, as well as providing stable power for the University,” he added.
The ceremony was graced by top executives of the REA, including the Executive Director, Technical Services, Engineer Umar Abdullahi Umar. Also in attendance were the University’s principal officers: the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, Professor Aliyu Mu’azu; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Development, Professor Amina Mustapha; the Registrar, Haruna Aliyu; the Bursar, Alhaji Rabiu Dauda, the Director Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Transition, Professor Nasir Isa Fagge (CREST) and the Director Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Malam Sheriff Ahmad.
The Director CREST said the vote of thanks.