The Federal Government’s ambitious plan to provide stable electricity to federal universities and tertiary hospitals has suffered a major setback following the non-release of funds allocated in the 2025 budget, The PUNCH reports.
Although over N300bn was earmarked in the 2025 Appropriation Act for the special energy intervention, no funds have been released, resulting in zero implementation progress on the project announced last year.
Confirming the development, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Power, Bolaji Tunji, said the initiative had stalled due to the absence of budgetary releases.
When asked about the status of the proposed special energy project for teaching hospitals and universities, Tunji said, “Zero funding has been released for the 2025 budget for the project, so there has been no progress on the project.”
The intervention was conceived to address persistent power shortages in critical public institutions, particularly teaching hospitals and universities, many of which depend heavily on diesel generators to sustain operations.
The PUNCH recalls that the Federal Government had set aside about N300bn in the 2025 budget to deliver stable and sustainable electricity to these institutions, largely through solar hybrid and renewable energy solutions.
The allocation was earlier announced by the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, and member representing Bichi Federal Constituency, Abubakar Bichi, during the inauguration of a solar hybrid intervention project at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.Bichi said the initiative formed part of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s efforts to end recurring power outages in critical sectors, especially healthcare and tertiary education.According to him, “This intervention is designed to guarantee uninterrupted power for hospitals and universities so that doctors can save lives and students can study without disruption.”
He explained that the allocation would support the installation of renewable energy systems, with priority given to institutions delivering essential services to Nigerians.
Bichi added that beyond improving power stability, the projects were expected to cut high electricity costs, enhance operational efficiency, and promote clean and sustainable energy use in public institutions.