The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has taken a major step toward sustainable energy transition as it joins 19 other Nigerian universities selected to benefit from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) under the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) Sprout Programme. The development marks a significant stride in advancing eco-friendly mobility and energy efficiency across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
According to the Coordinator of the PCNGI, Engr. Wole Suleiman, the initiative’s implementation at FUOYE is already in advanced stages, with plans for the installation of a gas fueling plant and the deployment of five CNG-powered buses and ten tricycles across the university campus. This project aligns with the federal government’s commitment to promoting clean energy alternatives and reducing dependence on fossil fuels within institutional environments.
During a courtesy visit to the university’s management, Engr. Suleiman disclosed that preliminary clearance and feasibility work had been completed, while a Mobile Refueling Unit (MRU) imported from China had already arrived in the country. He expressed optimism that FERMADEC, the company handling the execution of the project, would soon mobilize to the FUOYE site to commence full-scale implementation without delay.
Suleiman emphasized the need for close collaboration between FUOYE and FERMADEC to ensure swift and transparent project delivery. He highlighted that the visible presence of the fueling plant and transport units on campus would not only serve functional purposes but also symbolize Nigeria’s growing investment in sustainable transport technologies.
In his address, the Coordinator assured FUOYE’s management that the gas fueling plant would be fully operational by the coming year, with the CNG-powered buses and tricycles expected to commence operations shortly after. He added that discussions were ongoing with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to expedite funding and oversight for the project’s completion.
Suleiman also revealed that FUOYE would be the fourth institution in Ekiti State to receive CNG installations, joining Ekiti State University (EKSU), Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), and energy firm BOVAS, which is currently setting up a similar CNG plant in Ado-Ekiti. This, he said, strategically positions Ekiti State as a hub for renewable energy development and innovation in Nigeria’s southwest region.
As part of the broader initiative, 20 bio-fuel tricycles have already been deployed to Ekiti State, signaling the gradual rollout of the PCNGI’s national mobility plan. Notably, FUOYE students especially those in the Faculty of Engineering will benefit directly from the conversion incentive programme aimed at training students in vehicle gas conversion technologies. This inclusion underscores the initiative’s dual purpose: promoting environmental sustainability and strengthening local technical capacity.
On the agricultural front, Engr. Suleiman announced that the Federal Government plans to identify idle lands within universities to initiate large-scale farming operations. He explained that between 50 and 100 hectares of land would be allocated to each selected institution, beginning with a pilot phase in ten universities by the end of the year. This, he added, will support Nigeria’s food security goals while promoting research-based agricultural innovation.
Encouraging FUOYE to position itself strategically for inclusion in the agricultural pilot phase, the PCNGI Coordinator advised the institution to leverage its available land, agricultural machinery, and faculty expertise. He stressed that community collaboration and proactive planning would enhance the university’s chances of emerging among the first beneficiaries of the federal government’s agricultural component under the initiative.
Responding on behalf of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olubunmi Shittu, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Bolanle Opoola, commended the federal government for including FUOYE in the PCNGI programme. He described the development as a “homecoming honour” for Engr. Suleiman, who hails from Ekiti State, and assured him of the university’s unwavering support in ensuring the project’s success.
Professor Opoola further highlighted that both the Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor had strong agricultural backgrounds, which would reinforce FUOYE’s commitment to the farming initiative. He noted that the institution already runs a “Green Revolution Programme,” positioning it as a model for other universities in sustainable agriculture and environmental responsibility.
Also speaking, the university’s Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to the PCNGI team for recognizing FUOYE’s capacity and potential. He emphasized that FUOYE’s Faculty of Agriculture houses one of the largest concentrations of professors in the field nationwide, making the university uniquely equipped to lead in agricultural innovation. Mr. Ibrahim reaffirmed FUOYE’s readiness to mobilize its academic and administrative resources to ensure the effective execution of both the CNG and agricultural projects.
With this latest development, FUOYE stands at the threshold of a transformative era where clean energy, industrial training, and agricultural innovation converge to define the next phase of sustainable campus development in Nigeria.
