In its sustained effort to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country, the management of the University of Ilorin has approved the establishment of a Centre for Renewable Energy at the institution.

The approval, at the University Senate's 247th meeting last Tuesday (June 30, 2015), followed the recommendation by the Business Committee of Senate (BCOS), which considered the report of a three-man Committee on the project, led by Prof. C. O. Akoshile of the Department of Physics. Other members of the Committee are Dr. T. B. Ajibola of the Department of Physics and Dr. A. O. Olaoye of the Department of Biosystem and Food Engineering.  

When established, the Unilorin Renewable Energy Centre (UREC) will conduct research and training that will enhance the development and application of renewable energy resources as important component of alternative energy sources that is desired for realising a stable and reliable energy sector in the country.

According to the report of the Prof. Akoshile Committee, “the Centre shall be charged with the responsibility of organising and conducting research and development in renewable energy resources management and technologies”.

Other mandates of the Centre include: identifying and assessing all renewable resources in the country; acquiring basic data and preparing an inventory of potential renewable energy resources of the nation; promoting renewable energies development with the aim of making rural areas self−sufficient in energy and food production; serving as a centre for training of high level manpower in renewable resources technology, and researching into environmental problems associated with the development of renewable resources and management.

The Centre will also serve as a resource centre offering advisory and research facilities for renewable resources development; cooperate with institutions and organsations engaged in similar activities; appraise set of equipment for exploiting renewable energy; serve as a Centre for equipment development in the renewable resources sector; conduct research, development, production and marketing into research energy − with a view to disseminating appropriate technologies and equipment for exploiting solar, wind and biomass energy (with particular reference to generation of renewable or alternative energy; disseminate the results of Research and Development (R&D) through public awareness programmes; conduct training and supervision of groups of craftsmen and promote small and medium sized industries and businesses in the energy sector; and perform any other functions as may be directed by the University Administration / Federal Government.