Tinubu Government inaugurates 2MW Solar Project Worth N3.8b At Kano University

Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology [Credit: NewsWireNGR]
The federal government, through the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), on Friday inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony of a 2-megawatt solar hybrid project worth N3.8 billion at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, in Kano State.

The project, under the flagship Renewed Hope Solarisation project of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, also witnessed the commissioning of 200 solar-powered streetlights within the institution.

The director-general of the Commission, Mustapha Abdullahi, alongside the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh (SAN), carried out the groundbreaking ceremony at the university.

Mr Abdullahi said contractors handling the project had been given a mandate of three months to complete the work.

He said the project was designed to provide sustainable energy generation for the institution and address its monthly electricity expenses of N22.4 million.

“Today’s groundbreaking at Wudil follows our ceremony at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in September 2025, where a 4MW system is being installed, and last week’s groundbreaking at Bayero University Kano.

“Each project is a standalone delivery and a building block in a national programme covering hospitals and tertiary institutions in all 36 states and the FCT.

“The contract for this project, worth N3.8 billion, has been awarded to Safiatu Global Resources Limited with a firm three-month completion mandate, no variation in contract sum, and full accountability under the Commission’s project monitoring framework,” he said.

Mr Abdullahi said every groundbreaking under the programme is preceded by rigorous technical work, including energy audits, load assessments, site surveys, and system design.

According to him, “Our team arrived on this campus with that precise mandate, and the findings were unambiguous. ADUSTECH is home to a combined population of 24,339 persons: 2,462 staff, and hostel facilities providing 5,200 bed spaces.

“Against that scale of activity, the assessed actual energy demand on this campus ranges between 12.3 and 16.4 megawatts. Yet the total connected load on utility records stands at only 8.26 megawatts, a figure that already exceeds what the grid reliably delivers.”

He noted that the institution spends an average of N22.4 million every month on electricity bills, while its entire on-site diesel backup capacity amounts to a mere 2.07 megavolt-amperes.

“This is the energy reality that confronts a university of this mandate and ambition. It is unacceptable, and it is what we are here to begin addressing.”

He said that based on the full load profile and the 59 hectares of available land identified within a 2.5-kilometre radius of the campus, the Energy Commission’s technical recommendation is a 7-megawatt solar mini-grid as the complete solution for energy needs.

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Also speaking, Mr Tochukwu-Udeh, said the installation of the 2MW project in the institution is not an act of philanthropy, but a strategic national policy and national action under the Renewed Hope Solarization project.

Kano University

He said the federal government is making these investments because it believes in what the institution and others are doing in terms of groundbreaking innovations to provide solutions to the most pressing challenges faced by Nigerians.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Musa Tukur-Yakasai, said the landmark event represents not just an infrastructural milestone but a bold step towards sustainable energy, innovation, and academic excellence.

Mr Tukur-Yakasai said the intervention is a significant step in strengthening the institution’s academic and research capacity.

ICPC Secures 24-Year Jail Term For Dismissed NECO Staff Over Certificate Forgery

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a dismissed staff member of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Abdulwahab Sule, for offences bordering on certificate forgery and related corrupt practices.

The conviction was delivered by the High Court of Niger State sitting in Minna, presided over by Honourable Justice Abdullahi Mikailu, in Charge No: NSHC/ICPC/1C/2023.

Mr. Sule, who was dismissed from NECO in 2020 following the discovery of irregularities in his credentials, was found guilty on a three-count charge of dishonestly using a forged document as genuine, possession of a forged document, and making false statements.

Investigations by the ICPC revealed that the convict fraudulently used a forged Diploma certificate purportedly issued by the Federal University of Technology, Yola (now Modibbo Adama University, Yola) to secure employment with NECO in January 2009, where he remained until his dismissal in September 2020.

Further findings showed that the certificate, dated March 18, 2008, did not emanate from the institution, as confirmed by the university during verification.

The Commission also established that the convict had not completed his studies and still had outstanding courses at the time he claimed to have graduated.

In addition, Mr. Sule was found to have knowingly made false representations to NECO’s Director of Human Resource Management in August 2020, falsely claiming that he had obtained the Diploma certificate.

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During ICPC’s investigation, the convict admitted that he did not complete his studies and disclosed that he paid the sum of N30,000 to procure the forged certificate from an individual.

Upon conviction, the Court sentenced him to twelve (12) years imprisonment on Count One, ten (10) years on Count Two, and two (2) years on Count Three. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will effectively spend twelve (12) years in prison.

ICPC

The ICPC reiterates its commitment to sanitising public institutions and warns that individuals who engage in forgery, falsification of records, and other corrupt practices will be brought to justice.

The Commission also urges organisations to sustain regular verification of staff credentials to prevent similar occurrences and strengthen institutional integrity.

J. Okor Odey
Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC

Tinubu Approves New Council For The Police Academy, Wudil

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reconstituted the 16-member Governing Council of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, appointing the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, as the chairman.

Other members of the council include the chairman of the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, and one representative each from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

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A statement by the Special Adiviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga notes that the President also appointed six persons to represent the six geopolitical zones.

It includes- Babagana Zannah Adam (DCP Rtd.) – North East, Emmanuel Torkuma Manger – North Central, Maigari Abati Dikko (DIG Rtd.) – North West,- Dubem A. Obaze (KSM) – South East and Ajibogere Toyin – South West as well as Udom Udo Ekpoudom (DIG Rtd.) – South South.

Police Academy

It further discloses that the Commandant of the Academy, the Provost, and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of training will serve as ex officio members.

While the registrar of the Academy will serve as the council’s secretary.