Osun State University Among 12 Institutions to Benefit from $15 Million Solar Energy Project
In a promising development for the Nigerian education sector, a significant initiative involving the provision of solar-powered energy has been set in motion. This ambitious project, backed by the reputable South Korean firm, Blue Mountain Energy (BME), is poised to make a lasting impact on the country’s higher education institutions.
On Thursday, October 12, 2023, the CEO of Blue Mountain Energy (BME) Korea, Mr. Jung Cookjin, and the Executive Director of SDG Youth International, Mr. Kim Ju Yong, touched down in Nigeria for a 5-day working visit. Their primary objective during this visit was to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of a select group of 12 higher education institutions earmarked to benefit from the BME-Saudi Exim Bank Solar Energy Project.
The BME-Saudi Exim Bank Solar Energy Project is part of the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) provided by the Saudi-Exim Bank. This collaborative effort is a five-year endeavor with an impressive financial commitment of $15 million per year. It aims to bring solar energy to various sectors of Nigeria’s economy, starting with the allocation of 100KVA solar energy to the 12 higher institutions situated across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria.
The project is poised to kick off in earnest with the pilot phase, set to commence in February 2024. During this initial stage, Osun State University, Osogbo, and the Federal University of Agriculture in Kebbi State will be the first beneficiaries. Installation of solar energy infrastructure in the remaining 10 institutions will be executed in a phased manner, spanning from February to October 2024.
Uzoh Ifeanyi, the Country Representative for Nigeria and the African Region, took the opportunity to share crucial details about the project during a press briefing in Abuja. He revealed that the second phase of this commendable endeavor will extend to public primary and secondary schools in local government areas throughout the country, starting in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
This ambitious project is poised to bring a multitude of benefits to Nigeria. Not only will it secure a reliable energy source for the designated institutions, but it will also pave the way for the establishment of a solar power plant within the nation’s borders. This initiative is set to create employment opportunities for the nation’s youth, and it will introduce a solar engineering course into Nigerian universities, facilitating the education of future experts in solar technology.
Furthermore, the project promises to offer automatic employment prospects to graduates specializing in BME Solar Engineering. They will find opportunities not only within BME Korea but also in BME Saudi Arabia and other esteemed solar technology companies operating overseas. This commitment to fostering renewable energy infrastructure and expertise is a promising step towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for Nigeria.
