The Federal Government is working towards establishing a national call centre to enable electricity consumers across Nigeria to report power-related complaints and seek quicker solutions to service disruptions.

The Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Tegbe, disclosed the plan on Wednesday while speaking at the commissioning of a 3-megawatt hybrid mini-grid project and a renewable energy workshop and training centre at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja.

Tegbe said the proposed facility would create a central platform through which consumers could submit complaints about electricity supply and have the issues directed towards the appropriate authorities for resolution.

According to him, the initiative is also expected to create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

The minister further announced plans for a dedicated reporting channel through which members of the public can alert authorities to cases of vandalism involving electricity infrastructure.

He said the government was already working with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as part of efforts to tackle the destruction and theft of power assets.

Tegbe urged students and members of the university community to take an active role in protecting electricity infrastructure, particularly the newly commissioned renewable energy facility.

He stressed that protecting the investment would require collective responsibility, urging people to report suspicious activities involving power installations such as transformers, transmission towers and other critical assets.

3MW Hybrid Power Project

The newly commissioned hybrid mini-grid is part of the second phase of the Energising Education Programme, which is being implemented across seven universities and two teaching hospitals.

At Yakubu Gowon University, the installation includes a 3.3MWp solar power array capable of producing 3MW of AC output, alongside a 2MWh battery storage system designed to provide electricity for critical loads beyond daylight hours.

The project also features a separate connection to the national grid to serve non-critical electricity demand outside the solar generation period.

Tegbe said the project is expected to serve about 58,726 students, while 388 streetlights installed across the campus would contribute to improved visibility and security.

He said reliable electricity would support academic research, reduce the institution’s dependence on diesel-powered generators and help lower operational expenses.

The minister linked the project to the Federal Government’s broader electricity investment programme, saying improved power supply was important to supporting productive activities and enhancing living conditions.

REA Highlights Sustainability

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said the Energising Education Programme should be measured not only by the amount of electricity generated but also by its impact on education, research facilities, institutional finances and campus safety.

Aliyu said sustainability must remain a major consideration after renewable energy infrastructure has been installed.

He identified the Renewable Asset Management Company, or RAMCO, as part of the agency’s response to the challenge of ensuring that renewable energy facilities remain operational and productive over the long term.

According to him, managing infrastructure after construction requires a different approach from building it, particularly as renewable energy systems become increasingly decentralised.

He said the government had established mechanisms for monitoring, maintaining and optimising renewable energy assets, while stressing that the success of the initiative would depend on cooperation among relevant stakeholders.

Aliyu also disclosed that the Renewable Energy Workshop and Training Centre had been established to strengthen technical skills and develop local expertise in the renewable energy sector.

He encouraged the university to use the facility as a research and innovation hub for distributed energy technologies, including through the development of academic programmes and technical solutions.

The REA boss said the Energising Education Programme had so far delivered more than 100MW of electricity to 22 federal institutions and university teaching hospitals.

Stakeholders Commend Project

The Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Akinwunmi Fawehinmi, described dependable electricity as essential to effective teaching, research and the creation of a suitable learning environment.

He expressed appreciation for the intervention and assured stakeholders that the university would work to ensure the facility is properly maintained and utilised.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, commended the project, noting its potential contribution to improving educational facilities.

Abaribe also welcomed the establishment of RAMCO, emphasising the importance of maintaining public infrastructure so that its benefits can continue over an extended period.

The Federal Government’s proposed call centre is expected to provide electricity consumers with a more direct avenue for reporting service problems, while the planned vandalism-reporting channel is intended to support faster responses to attacks on critical power infrastructure.