How UDUS’ Solar initiative is revolutionizing night reading on Campus 

By Shamsudeen Abubakar 

It was a hellish evening in April. The noise from the ETF 2 lecture hall was deafening. One could easily tell that exams are forthcoming, with different students engrossed in rigorous studies. 

ALSO READ: Nigeria 2-1 South Africa: 5 tactical masterstrokes Justin Madugu used to Outclass Bayana Bayana

Abdulrahman Muhammad, a 300-level student of UDUS, Biology/Chemistry department, was sitting near the ETF 2 mosque, preparing to attend Maghrib Prayer congregation. Having just finished satiating his hunger with something that looked like a pack of the popular “FAB!” biscuits. He was performing ablution when Lagos Voice correspondent approached him.

Muhammad whined about his excitement and gratitude towards the management’s effort.“These solar lights have given me the energy to read during the night, without having reasons to exhaust my phone battery,” he expressed with a beaming smile.

Previously, Abdulrahman struggled to study in the dimly lit halls, relying on his phone for generation of power. “I used to come out to read here,” he said, pointing to a block under Solar light outside, where he would often study.

ALSO READ: Super Falcons defeats South Africa soar into WAFCON final

“But I don’t find it comfortable with people watching me read here all the time. In fact, I usually go back to my hostel early if there is no light in school, and if I manage to stay, I use my phone to read.”

However, the lack of light had made Abdulrahman concerned about his safety. But, with the new solar lights, he can now study for longer periods without worrying about his safety.

He further hopes the management should extend the solar lights to fans which hinder some students from studying in the class due to excessive heat. 

ALSO READ: Maduka Okoye: Super Eagles goalkeeper banned from football

“We also need to have fans because the environment is full of heat when we are reading in the classes with solar lights due to congestion,” adding that some classes need total repairs for light in case when electricity is available.

The Impact of Electricity on Education: A Global Perspective

The impact of Electricity on education is a significant millitating against many developing countries, including Nigeria. Globally, 770 million people still lack access to electricity worldwide, and 10% of this population is in Nigeria, according to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) as of 2020. This limitation hinders the quality of education, resulting in inferior services compared to electrified institutions.

Furthermore, access to electricity can transform education by enabling classes to take place even in the evening hours due to improved lighting. This will help improve students’ study time in night classes due to the presence of illumination.

ALSO READ: Lagos set to make history as First African to host of E1 Racing Championship

According to Energypedia, a platform dedicated to becoming the “Wikipedia for sustainable energy” and promoting open knowledge exchange on sustainable energy, electrical lights in educational facilities not only increases the time students spend at school to study for night classes but also enhances the overall experience for both students and teachers. 

High-quality illumination is essential for various applications in social institutions, including rural schools that rely on artificial light for classes during cloudy days or at night, as well as for staff and student quarters.

The Impact of Electricity on Education: A Global Perspective

The impact of Electricity on education is a significant millitating against many developing countries, including Nigeria. Globally, 770 million people still lack access to electricity worldwide, and 10% of this population is in Nigeria, according to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) as of 2020. This limitation hinders the quality of education, resulting in inferior services compared to electrified institutions.

Furthermore, access to electricity can transform education by enabling classes to take place even in the evening hours due to improved lighting. This will help improve students’ study time in night classes due to the presence of illumination.

According to Energypedia, a platform dedicated to becoming the “Wikipedia for sustainable energy” and promoting open knowledge exchange on sustainable energy, electrical lights in educational facilities not only increases the time students spend at school to study for night classes but also enhances the overall experience for both students and teachers. 

High-quality illumination is essential for various applications in social institutions, including rural schools that rely on artificial light for classes during cloudy days or at night, as well as for staff and student quarters of the solar lights without obstacles as before.

 

UDUS ETF 2 Lecture hall with Students reading during exams Photo Credit: Shamsudeen Abubakar 

“I am very excited seeing these lights. One of the obstacles I was facing then was reading in the class without light. But, now that we have solar lights in class, I am reading without any problem.” He noted.

Faruk added that many students were also happy about the management’s surprise gesture. He used to wait until they supply light before heading to class to study, but the solar lights have changed his reading habit for the better now.

ALSO READ: Lagos Govt seals Lekki Nightclub for persistent noise pollution

Similarly, Amar Ibrahim, an 100-level student of English and Literary Studies, shared a similar sentiment.

“We need the light so much more than the fans. Though, the fans have little advantage, because people like me would utilize the opportunity to sleep forgetting they wanted to read.” He testified.

Amar further advised the School management on the extension of solar lights to all other lectures hall within the School premises, to enabling lively and convenient for reading at all times for students. “I enjoyed reading in the class unlike before,” He added.

Not Just Solar Light, Fans to Complement Them

Despite the light installed in the halls for students to study for their exams, Halira Aliyu, a 400-level student of Biology department still couldn’t find the class to study due to the excessive heat of the congested classes.

Solar light illuminating outside ETF 3 halls Photo Credit: Shamsudeen Abubakar 

“The class is full of heat. It is more convenient reading in class because I am the type of person that gets distracted by what the people around me are doing, but I don’t have any option other than to endure the distraction rather than the heat. 

She further emphasized that the management should repair the light especially during the heat weather of Sokoto, “that’s the only way to solve this problem.” Halira explained.

Dean Assures More Solar Lights

Speaking with the The Lagos Voice, UDUS, a Campus press outlet in the school, Professor Umar Aliyu, the Dean of Student Affairs, stated that the management is committed to improving the learning experience of the students.

ALSO READ: Buhari never used vote‑buying to win Elections – Osita Okechukwu

“We have noticed the challenges posed by the erratic power supply in the school, especially during night studies when students are preparing for exams.  To address this, we have installed solar lights in strategic locations across the Campus.”

The Dean further expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential impact, stating, “This is just the beginning. In Sha Allah, we will continue to expand this initiative to cover more areas of the university. 

“We plan to extend the solar lights to the rest of the classes, ensuring that students have a conducive environment to study at night, even in the absence of electricity.” Dean ended.