Zaria, November 3, 2025 — Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) has launched the ABU Energy and Innovation Challenge (ABUEIC), a new initiative aimed at finding "homegrown clean solutions" to the institution's persistent energy crisis. The move follows a massive expenditure of approximately ₦2 billion paid to Kaduna Electric for power in the last few months alone, as disclosed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed.
Cost-Cutting and The New Challenge
Speaking at the launch event held at the Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, Prof. Ahmed highlighted the financial strain caused by energy costs, while noting that recent efforts by university committees had successfully reduced energy wastage.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasized a shift in strategy, declaring that after long relying on external support to address the power crisis, it was "now time for action." The ABUEIC is designed as a university-wide program to discover and support practical clean energy solutions developed by students, staff, and alumni.
Prof. Ahmed pledged the university management's continued support for the Faculty of Engineering and the Chairman of the ABUEIC, Dr. A S Abdulrasheed, for their efforts in leading the challenge.
External Support and Partnerships
The event also featured the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr. Abba Aliyu, who was represented by Dr. Bala Tyoden. Dr. Aliyu affirmed the agency's commitment to accelerating electricity generation in rural areas and revealed that ABU is a beneficiary of REA's mega electricity package for tertiary institutions. The Vice-Chancellor specifically thanked Dr. Aliyu for REA's donation of 450 solar street lights to the university.
Other speakers echoed the critical role of energy in national development. Prof. S A Jonah, Director of the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), ABU, argued that "energy remained the life blood of modern development in Nigeria."
Furthermore, Engr. Hassana O Abubakar, a representative of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, stressed the potential of ABU to be powered through a combination of intellectual capacity and technology. Hassana urged the university management to leverage Public Private Partnership (PPP) to effectively overcome its energy challenges.
The ABU Energy and Innovation Challenge marks a significant internal drive to solve a major institutional hurdle, aiming to turn intellectual potential into practical energy independence.
(Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria)
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