Dare Babalola
The Federal Government is set to launch a groundbreaking 1-megawatt solar electrification project at the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology (FUNATO) in Okeho, Oyo State.
This project marks a significant milestone in the institution’s infrastructure development, aligning with Nigeria’s broader renewable energy goals.
Facilitated by the Rural Electrification Agency, the project is part of a broader national initiative to provide sustainable energy to 16 selected universities across Nigeria.
This information was disclosed in a statement by Dr. Bolaji Olaomo, Personal Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor on Current Issues, on Monday.
FUNATO is one of the key institutions in the South-West zone benefiting from this initiative, alongside Adeyemi University of Education and the Federal University of Health Sciences, Oyan.
On Friday, February 6, 2026, the university management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jacob Babayemi, held a high-level consultative meeting with an REA delegation and the Onjo-in-Council, the traditional advisory body of the host community, to begin project execution protocols.
Leading the REA team, Mr. David Ogunsawe, a technical consultant, emphasised that the current phase focuses on compliance and sustainability.
“The assessment is a prerequisite for the solar electrification project, which has already received approval and is scheduled to commence within the next few months,” Ogunsawe stated during the session.
He further explained that the project utilises a public-private partnership framework, aligning with the Federal Government’s Solar Power Naija and Energising Education Programme to leverage external expertise and sustainable financing.
To host the extensive solar array and supporting infrastructure, FUNATO is required to allocate approximately 75 acres of land within its permanent site.
Responding to the requirement, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jacob Babayemi confirmed the university’s full cooperation.
“The university is ready to allocate the required land within its permanent site immediately. We see this as a foundational step toward our goal of becoming a tech-driven centre of excellence,” Babayemi remarked.
To ensure seamless coordination between the technical teams and the host community, the Vice-Chancellor appointed a community elder, Alhaji Isiaka Salawu, to serve as the primary liaison for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment team.
