The Federal Government says plans are at an advanced stage to establish the first Renewable Energy University in Nigeria.

The university is to be established in partnership with some development partners.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, stated this at a Roundtable held in Victoria Island between the REA and the Lagos State Government.

Speaking, Aliyu disclosed that the government has yet to decide where to site the Renewable University, saying Lagos State could get it.

“We are working with development partners to establish the first Renewable University in Nigeria. It’s going to be the first green university in Africa.

“We have not yet decided on where we are going to site that university. If Lagos works very hard, we may site it in Lagos,” stated.

Aliyu disclosed that the REA is also planning to establish a renewable asset management company, saying the location has yet to be decided as well.

“We have gotten approval through the Honourable Minister of Power for the establishment of Renewable Asset Management Company.

“This company is going to be the holder of renewable assets in the entire country and it will continue to ensure sustainability of all our interventions across the country. It’s going to be a N1tn company that we have already secured the approval and we will start the process. Where we will site this renewable asset company is yet unknown,” he stressed.

Aliyu sought the approval of the Lagos State Government to pioneer the first floating solar power plant at the University of Lagos.

“We want to seek the approval of the state to pioneer the first floating solar power plant in Lagos. With the unique challenge of limited land availability in Lagos State, we want to deploy an 8-megawatt plant at the University of Lagos. We want to seek the approval of the state to allow us to make it a floating solar panel which will be the first of its kind in Nigeria. We hope that the approval will be granted to us,” he stated.

Speaking, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, said Lagos will be interested in hosting the new university.

Hamzat asked the REA boss to show the state what it will entail to win the hosting right of the university.