The Yobe State Government has announced a solar transition plan to make solar energy the main power source for public secondary schools by 2025. This shift aims to reduce fossil fuel dependence and enhance sustainability across the state’s educational institutions.
A Push Toward Solar Transition in Education
The Yobe State Government has announced an ambitious solar transition plan to phase out fossil fuels as a power source for public secondary schools by 2025. This solar transition will make solar energy the primary source of power across all public secondary schools in Yobe, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Alhaji Baba Malam-Wali, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), revealed this plan on Monday during a visit to inspect school projects in Nguru. During his visit, he toured several schools, including the Government Higher Islamic College, Nguru; Government Day Secondary School, Gashua; Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Yobe Campus; and Government Girls Unity College, Damaturu.
The Yobe State Government's solar transition goes beyond energy change; it reflects a commitment to sustainable development. By adopting solar, Yobe aims to lower energy costs for public schools and ensure a reliable power supply, resilient to outages. Malam-Wali highlighted that the switch will improve the learning environment, providing uninterrupted power for students and teachers — even during evening study hours.
Educational Reforms Underway Since 2019
The solar transition is just one part of a broader educational reform strategy initiated in 2019. According to Malam-Wali, the state has implemented various initiatives aimed at increasing access to quality education and enhancing conditions in schools. To address overcrowding in urban schools, Yobe has constructed new model schools, improving learning environments and ensuring a better teacher-to-student ratio.
The government has also partnered with traditional rulers to promote primary school enrollment in rural areas, expanding educational access to every part of Yobe State. This collaboration aims to ensure that students in remote communities have the same educational opportunities as those in urban centers, addressing disparities in enrollment and resources.
To further support students and their families, the government has committed to paying examination fees for those taking the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) and National Examination Council (NECO) exams in 2025, alleviating financial strain on parents. Additionally, the state has prioritized female education by establishing new secondary schools for girls, advancing gender equality and encouraging more young women to pursue education.
A Solar Transition Supported by National Energy Reforms
Yobe State’s transition to solar power aligns with recent reforms in Nigeria’s power sector. In 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the 2023 Electricity Act into law, an Act that aims to decentralize power generation, transmission, and distribution across the country.
This law empowers states, companies, and individuals to play active roles in generating and managing electricity within their jurisdictions. It replaces the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005, providing more freedom for states like Yobe to pursue renewable energy projects.
Initially passed in 2022, the Act allows states to issue licenses to private investors interested in setting up mini-grids and local power plants. This is an important development, as it allows states to pursue localized solutions, reducing dependence on the national grid. An amendment in April 2024 further strengthened the Act, introducing transparency measures to make the power sector more efficient and effective.
Yobe’s solar transition for public schools could serve as a model for other states in Nigeria. With the 2023 Electricity Act supporting such local initiatives, Yobe’s move to phase out fossil fuels and embrace solar could inspire similar projects nationwide. This approach demonstrates the benefits of renewable energy in improving public services, reducing environmental impact, and contributing to long-term cost savings.