By Abdullahi Lukman
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, is shifting toward sustainable energy solutions as it grapples with an annual electricity bill nearing N4 billion, a situation Vice Chancellor Prof. Adamu Ahmed described as both environmentally and financially unsustainable.
Speaking at a press conference marking the university’s 63rd anniversary, Ahmed said the soaring cost of energy—primarily from the unreliable national grid—is threatening ABU’s academic and research capacity.
“This figure is not only shocking but clearly unsustainable.
It is crippling our operations and undermining our ability to deliver quality education and conduct meaningful research,” he said.
To address the crisis, ABU has launched a green energy transition, focusing on renewable and self-sufficient energy systems.
The university has secured a N1 billion intervention from the Federal Government via TETFund and has commenced work on a 10-megawatt renewable energy project designed to supply clean, affordable power to the campus.
Ahmed noted that the shift aligns with ABU’s broader goal of becoming an eco-conscious academic habitat. “We are taking control of our energy future, reducing our carbon footprint, and ensuring that our environment supports learning and innovation,” he added.
Furthering this goal, the university is collaborating with alumni and development partners.
A solar energy project initiated by the SBS Class of 1975 is already being implemented at one of ABU’s CBT centres as part of the institution’s growing portfolio of green infrastructure.
Reflecting on the university’s founding vision in 1962 by Sir Ahmadu Bello, Ahmed emphasized ABU’s responsibility to serve as a development engine for Northern Nigeria and the nation.
However, he warned that persistent insecurity and poverty in the region continue to hinder progress.
In response, ABU is directing its research and advocacy towards sustainable development challenges, including food insecurity, unemployment, and environmental degradation.
The university has begun engaging northern state governments to promote eco-friendly, evidence-based solutions.
Ahmed highlighted ABU’s unique capacity for sustainable agricultural innovation through its renowned institutes—the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine—positioning it as West Africa’s leading agricultural research hub.
