The Federal Government has awarded a ₦3.8bn contract to construct a 2MW solar mini grid at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, to address the institution's power supply challenges.

The Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, disclosed this during a visit by the university's Vice Chancellor, Professor Musa Yakasai, on Wednesday in Abuja. "The contract for the project, which has already been awarded by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology at the cost of N3.8bn, will soon commence," Abdullahi was quoted as saying.

The disclosure was contained in a statement issued by the university's Deputy Registrar for Information and Public Affairs, Abdullahi Abdullahi, who also revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the flag off of a four megawatt solar project at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital following reports that two patients died due to a lack of electricity. He further disclosed that an additional 200 units of streetlights would soon be delivered to the university, following an earlier provision of 200 units which he had personally facilitated. He thanked the Vice Chancellor, members of the Governing Council, staff, and students for the support shown to him.

Vice Chancellor Yakasai commended the Director General for his contributions to the university's development, particularly in the area of power supply. He noted that the 200 units of streetlights already provided had significantly improved security and created a more conducive environment for students to study at night.

Yakasai also congratulated Abdullahi on his appointment by President Tinubu and called for deeper collaboration between the two institutions in renewable energy development, the establishment of a central energy laboratory, the deployment of energy calculators, and training initiatives.