Top level discussions have begun between the management of the University of Ilorin and an indigenous company, Egja Mecheng Nigeria Limited, on how the two can collaborate on the generation of 5 megawatt of electricity for the University.

A preliminary meeting was held last Friday (January 31, 2014) between the two parties.

The University of Ilorin team was led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, while that of Egja Mecheng Ltd was led by its Chairman, the Ogirimadagbo Akin Ilodo, Ijebu Mushin, Ogun State, Oba Isiaka Olajide Ajede.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Egja Mecheng Nigeria Ltd. disclosed that his company would also partner the University in the area of palm plantation and SMARAGDFA (magic tree). He explained that the magic tree is a hybrid tree that develops into full maturity within eight years with the capacity to generate an estimated revenue of N150 billion on 20,000 hectares of land.

According to Oba Ajede, aside from the generation of electricity, the project, which would be located on the University campus, would also help in the areas of training and technology transfer.

The industrialist added that a team of the company's foreign partners from Hungary would visit the University in March to finalise arrangements for the take off of the project.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, said that the University of Ilorin whose main focus is on teaching, research and community service, would be glad to embrace such a project as "they fit in perfectly into the vision and mission of the University."

Prof. Ambali stressed that such project, which would go a long way in easing the electricity problem in the University, would also help the University students in skill acquisition and provide a platform for teaching and research