The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure and improving learning conditions at Federal University of Lafia, assuring the institution of additional support, including the expansion of its solar power project to the University’s Take-off Site Campus.
The assurance was given during a meeting in Abuja with the Chairman of FULafia’s Governing Council, Dr. Modupeola Adebimpe Adebajo, members of the Governing Council and the University’s management team.
During the meeting, the minister reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to continue investing in critical infrastructure across federal tertiary institutions to create an enabling environment for quality teaching, learning, research and innovation.
Responding to requests presented by the University’s leadership, Dr. Alausa pledged that the Ministry’s solar power initiative would be extended to cover the Take-off Site Campus, noting that reliable electricity remains fundamental to modern university education.
According to the minister, stable power supply is essential for research activities, laboratory operations, digital learning, innovation, administrative efficiency and the overall delivery of quality higher education.
Earlier, Dr. Adebajo outlined several pressing infrastructure challenges confronting the University, explaining that FULafia’s rapid growth in student enrolment and academic programmes has increased the demand for additional facilities.
She identified improved campus security, construction of more student hostels, additional lecture halls and expansion of the University’s internal road network as some of the institution’s immediate priorities requiring Federal Government intervention.
The Governing Council Chairman acknowledged the positive impact of the Ministry of Education’s 1.6-megawatt solar power project at the University’s Permanent Site Campus, describing it as a major intervention that has significantly improved electricity supply and enhanced academic and administrative activities.
She, however, noted that the existing solar facility does not yet provide complete coverage for the Permanent Site Campus and currently does not extend to the University’s Take-off Site Campus, leaving parts of the institution dependent on less reliable sources of electricity.
Dr. Adebajo therefore appealed to the minister to approve the expansion of the renewable energy project to ensure uninterrupted electricity across both campuses, arguing that improved energy infrastructure would strengthen research, support digital learning and create a more conducive environment for staff and students.
She also urged the Federal Government to continue supporting the University’s infrastructure development agenda, stressing that investments in physical facilities remain essential for sustaining academic excellence and accommodating the institution’s growing population.
The minister’s assurance comes as the Federal Government continues to promote improved infrastructure, renewable energy adoption and enhanced learning environments across public tertiary institutions as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s higher education system.
The proposed expansion of the solar power project is expected to improve energy reliability, reduce dependence on conventional electricity sources and enhance the University’s capacity to deliver uninterrupted teaching, research and administrative services while advancing sustainable energy practices within the institution.
