Nsukka: The Federal Government on Wednesday inaugurated a 240 Kilowatt Solar Car Park donated by Azura Power West Africa Limited to the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by Mr. Sunday Owolabi, the Director of Renewable and Rural Power Access in the ministry, handed over the project to the university.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the project, valued at N900 million, was facilitated by an alumnus of the faculty and Managing Director of Azura Power, Mr. Edu Okeke. Adelabu emphasized the crucial role that energy plays in driving development, particularly in sectors such as education, healthcare, and industry. He highlighted the importance of providing institutions with access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, noting that the solar project is a significant step towards sustainable energy development for the country. The minister stated that the solar-powered car park enhances the university’s energy capacit
y and contributes to Nigeria’s environmental sustainability agenda.
Adelabu commended Azura Power for their contribution to solar electricity, which will ensure an uninterrupted clean power supply to the faculty of engineering. He praised the company’s commitment to renewable energy growth in Nigeria, underscoring the project as a testament to Azura Power’s dedication to corporate social responsibility and belief in renewable energy’s transformative potential to address the country’s energy deficits.
The minister also acknowledged Crimeng Services Limited, the contractor responsible for the project, for delivering quality work according to specifications. Mr. Ekundayo Ibeun, Managing Director of Crimeng Services Limited, highlighted the company’s track record in energy provision, telecommunication engineering, and building automation. He noted that the solar car park was completed using indigenous content and innovation, with the application of global technologies.
Edu Okeke, Managing Director of Azura Pow
er, noted that the project aligns with Nigeria’s energy transition goals under President Bola Tinubu’s administration on power sector reforms. Okeke, an alumnus of UNN, encouraged other alumni and corporate organizations to contribute to educational institutions by providing resources to facilitate education and empowerment.
Prof. Polycarp Chigbu, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNN, represented by Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, expressed gratitude for the solar car park, noting that electricity supply had become a major challenge for the university. He commended Azura Power for the intervention and suggested that similar projects in other faculties could alleviate UNN’s electricity supply issues.
Earlier, Prof. Ikechukwu Ezema, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UNN, explained that the Azura project would not only provide the faculty with 240kw solar power for offices and classrooms but also serve as a training facility for students in solar installation, data collection, and an
alysis.