The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has promised to collaborate with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to ensure a continuous supply of electricity in universities and other higher education institutions in the country.
Arc. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, made this declaration on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to his office by Salihijo Ahmad, the Managing Director of REA, in Abuja. Echono emphasized the critical importance of a consistent power supply in tertiary institutions. He commended the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) implemented by REA in selected universities and teaching hospitals across the nation.
Echono underscored the necessity of uninterrupted power for various purposes in these institutions, including supporting physical infrastructure, information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, and research activities. He noted that many academic and research procedures rely on a constant supply of electricity, making it a fundamental component in creating a competitive learning environment on a global scale.
Furthermore, the head of TETFund urged REA to address any challenges encountered by beneficiary institutions participating in the EEP. He also expressed TETFund’s intention to explore the possibility of securing long-term financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for future phases of the program. This approach would provide access to more extensive funding with favorable interest rates to further enhance the initiative.
Meanwhile, Salihijo Ahmad explained that the EEP, aimed at delivering sustainable and clean power to 37 federal universities and seven university teaching hospitals across the nation, has already been initiated in 24 universities and select teaching hospitals.