A N300 billion budget provision intended to support stable electricity supply for federal universities and teaching hospitals has not been released, the Federal Ministry of Power confirmed, leading to no progress on the planned intervention, The PUNCH reports.
The allocation was included in the 2025 Appropriation Act, but no funding has been released for implementation of the special energy project designed to deliver stable power to critical public institutions, officials said.
The Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Power, Bolaji Tunji, confirmed in Abuja that there has been zero funding released for the initiative from the 2025 budget, and consequently, no implementation progress has been made on the project.
The intervention aimed to address ongoing power challenges in teaching hospitals and federal tertiary institutions, many of which rely heavily on diesel generators for electricity.
The budget provision was announced by the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation and member representing Bichi Federal Constituency, Abubakar Bichi, during the inauguration of a solar hybrid project at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, as part of efforts to address persistent blackouts in critical institutions.
Lawmakers said the initiative was intended to support installation of solar hybrid and renewable energy systems in federal universities and teaching hospitals nationwide to reduce reliance on diesel generators and high electricity costs.
Bichi said the allocation was included in the 2025 budget following concerns raised by chief medical directors of teaching hospitals, who highlighted the high cost of diesel-powered electricity in medical facilities.
Listed beneficiaries of the planned solar mini-grid projects include institutions such as University College Hospital, Ibadan, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The PUNCH reported that as of February 2026 these facilities had not begun receiving the anticipated solar systems because the funds have not been released.
Officials at some institutions confirmed that while assessments were carried out, no mini-grid installations have taken place, and they continue to rely on diesel generators amid unstable grid power.
Budget analysts note that while the appropriation signals government policy intent, actual implementation depends on timely cash backing from the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation.
In several cases, budgeted capital items await release of funds before projects can commence.
Officials cited broader constraints on budget execution, including delayed cash releases, funding shortfalls and competing fiscal obligations, as reasons many approved projects have not started, the report said.
