The Federal Government has announced plans to begin a one megawatt solar power project at the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, in Oyo State.
The project is being handled by the Rural Electrification Agency and is part of a national programme to provide stable electricity to 16 selected universities across the country.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Personal Assistant to the Vice Chancellor on Current Issues, Dr Bolaji Olaomo.
The university, also known as FUNATO, is among the beneficiaries in the South West zone, alongside Adeyemi University of Education and the Federal University of Health Sciences, Oyan.
“The assessment is a prerequisite for the solar electrification project, which has already received approval and is scheduled to commence within the next few months,” Ogunsawe stated during the session.
He explained that the project follows a public-private partnership model under the Federal Government’s Solar Power Naija and Energising Education Programme. The arrangement allows private partners to provide technical support and long term funding.
For the installation of the solar facilities, the university is required to provide about 75 acres of land within its permanent campus.
In response, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Babayemi, assured the government of the institution’s readiness.
“The university is ready to allocate the required land within its permanent site immediately. We see this as a foundational step toward our goal of becoming a tech driven centre of excellence,” Babayemi remarked.
To support smooth cooperation between project officials and the local community, the Vice Chancellor appointed a community leader, Alhaji Isiaka Salawu, as liaison officer for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment team.
The project is expected to improve the electricity supply on campus and support teaching, research, and administrative activities.
