By Abdulkareem Haruna

In the wake of the recent power crisis at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), it becomes increasingly clear that the institution’s reliance on an unreliable grid and unsustainable options jeopardise the education of its students but also raises questions about the role of Nigerian universities in fostering innovative solutions to the nation’s challenges. As the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of UNIMAID, Professor Shugaba, lamented over mounting electricity bills and the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) disconnection of the campus, one cannot help but wonder why a university with a reputable Department of Electrical Engineering remains tethered to an archaic and unsustainable power infrastructure.

In an era where renewable energy sources like solar power are gaining traction worldwide, it is indeed disconcerting that a foremost institution like UNIMAID finds itself mired in darkness and debt. The staggering sums paid by the university to YEDC, amounting to nearly N100 million this year alone, could have been better utilized in providing the campus with a more sustainable power solution. Solar power, although capital-intensive, offers a long-term, environmentally friendly alternative that could free UNIMAID from the shackles of unstable grid connections and exorbitant electricity bills.

My recent research indicates that generating a 10 kW solar system (10,000 watts) requires the following components: 20 to 33 solar panels, eight batteries, and 54 to 80 square meters of roof space. The cost for such a system ranges from ₦2.7 million to ₦3.7 million. And the N47/million the VC said he paid to YEDC can provide at least 17 such installations, (170kw) across the campus classes and hostels. The N34 million paid to the YEDC in February this year can provide 12 of such 10kw of Solar installations which is a total of about 120kw. 

Critics may argue that the initial investment required for solar installations is prohibitive. However, the sums already paid to YEDC could have been used to establish a significant solar power infrastructure on campus. With an investment of N47 million, for instance, the university could generate 170 kW of electricity through solar power, which would not only reduce its reliance on the grid but also contribute to an environmentally responsible energy strategy.

Governor Zulum’s recent intervention, providing 34,000 litres of fuel to power campus generators, may have offered temporary relief, but it is a far cry from a sustainable solution. The continuous reliance on fossil fuels only perpetuates the institution’s dependence on expensive and environmentally harmful energy sources.

As an educational institution, UNIMAID has a responsibility to not only educate its students but also to serve as a model for innovation and sustainability. By harnessing the expertise of its Department of Electrical Engineering, the university can develop a blueprint for energy self-sufficiency that aligns with the United Nations’ sustainability goals. In doing so, UNIMAID would not only secure a brighter future for its students and staff but also contribute to a greener, more sustainable Nigeria.

It is at this moment to emphasise that the recent power crisis at the University of Maiduguri should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian universities to invest in sustainable energy solutions. By embracing solar power and other renewable energy sources, institutions like UNIMAID can not only extricate themselves from the quagmire of unstable grid connections and costly electricity bills but also play a crucial role in promoting a more sustainable future for the country.

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