The Federal Government has kicked off a major push to deliver 24-hour internet access to universities nationwide through a new fibre-to-hostel and solar power initiative, starting at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja).
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the rollout at UniAbuja is the first in a seven-university pilot project that will be completed by July 2025.
“This initiative we are launching today marks the first of seven universities in the pilot scheme, and we anticipate completing connections to all seven by the end of July,” Tijani announced at the launch event.
The project leverages existing infrastructure from Galaxy Backbone, extending fibre directly to student hostels and pairing it with renewable energy solutions to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.“With this access, students won’t just improve in their academic pursuits—they’ll also play a vital role in shaping the future our president envisions for the country,” Tijani added.
Minister of Education, Morufu Alausa, noted that the effort is part of a broader strategy to modernize higher institutions with reliable power and internet.“UniAbuja is among the beneficiaries, with a 3.3 megawatt mini-grid now supplying continuous electricity—something everyone can clearly see,” Alausa said.
He emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to powering institutions nationwide: “By the end of next year, nearly all special institutions will be equipped with mini-grids to ensure uninterrupted power supply.”Acting Vice-Chancellor of UniAbuja, Patricia Lar, praised the initiative as transformative for students and the entire academic community.
“This is a transformative project that will enable students from all backgrounds to access data for learning, creativity, and personal development,” Lar said. “We appreciate the deployment of fibre to our hostels, especially as it is complemented by the solar power backup system now operational on our campus.”
The initiative follows other tech-forward projects by the government, including the launch of a smart village in Abuja with free Wi-Fi and a broader target of connecting 7,000 rural communities across Nigeria.
