Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated a landmark power infrastructure project at Borno State University, Maiduguri, as part of efforts to strengthen electricity supply and boost economic activity in the region.
The project, executed under the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd, NDPHC, includes a 1X7.5MVA, 33/11KV injection substation, 3km of 33KV line, 2.5km of 11KV line, 2.5km of low-tension line, and three 500KVA distribution transformers.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Sunday, June 8, 2025, Vice President Shettima said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises infrastructure development as a catalyst for national growth.
“This project is a testimony to our commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians. Power is life, and life is power,” Shettima said.
“This infrastructure will significantly impact the university and the wider Maiduguri community by enhancing electricity access, enabling learning, and spurring development”, he noted.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, who also spoke at the event, expressed gratitude for the intervention. He highlighted the historical challenge of low voltage in Maiduguri and noted that the 7.5MVA injection substation would provide a sustainable solution.
“The power challenges we’ve faced are real, but today marks a turning point,” Zulum said. “This substation will ensure reliable power for Borno State University, the under-construction Teaching Hospital, and various other surrounding communities.”
He thanked the NDPHC for its continued efforts to provide affordable and quality energy to Nigerians, particularly in the Northeast region, where power infrastructure has often lagged.
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The Managing Director of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, said the project reaffirms the company’s commitment to bridging Nigeria’s power gap.
“This is the second distribution intervention project we’re commissioning in Borno, and two more are expected before the year ends,” she said. “Our goal is to provide last-mile, uninterrupted electricity by expanding both generation and distribution networks.”
Also speaking, Abdulrahman Isa, MD of Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), noted that the new substation would accommodate the university’s future expansion and improve the overall voltage profile of the Maiduguri region.
“It’s not just about the university,” he said. “The infrastructure will serve surrounding communities, including the 500 Housing Unit Estate, Auno, and Benisheik.”
In his remarks, Prof. Babagana Gutti, Vice Chancellor of Borno State University, thanked President Tinubu, VP Shettima, Governor Zulum, and the NDPHC for their roles in locating the power project within the institution.
“This is a game changer for us,” Prof. Gutti said. “We can now look forward to uninterrupted power, which is essential for teaching, research, and development.”
The project is a key milestone in the federal government’s bid to ensure universal electricity access across Nigeria, with particular attention to public institutions and underserved communities.
NAN
