The African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in English (ARCSSTE-E),located within theObafemi Awolowo University Campus, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, officially commissioned an alternative Electrical Power Supply via the Solar Inverter System installed in its Hall of Residence on Wednesday March 25, 2026.
The commissioning ceremony was graciously attended by the Management and Staff of ARCSSTE-E, notable dignitaries and other stakeholders within the University community. The initiative was undertaken as part of the Centre’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for its postgraduate students, as well as upgrading the infrastructure within the hostel. Furthermore, a dedicated, high-speed internet connectivity, available at the Centre’s Space Museum Complex, has been extended to the students’ hostel to provide 24-hour access to internet services, in addition to the recent furnishing of the hostel’s common room with state-of-the-art equipment and furniture.
The event commenced with a brief remark by the Director of the Centre, Engr. Dr. Seyi Festus Olatoyinbo, who highlighted the importance of the alternative energy solution, particularly in enhancing uninterrupted power supply for academic and residential activities. He noted that the solar inverter system would significantly reduce dependence on conventional power sources while promoting environmental sustainability. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Management and Staff of ARCSSTE-E for their continued support towards infrastructure development of the Centre. Furthermore, the Centre Director praised the result-oriented leadership provided by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, whose unwavering support and sustained funding have brought meaningful development to the United Nations Regional Centre for the English-speaking African countries.
A symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony was conducted to officially commission the Solar Inverter System within the hostel premises. This activity was followed by a demonstration of the installed solar inverter system, where residents and attendees were shown its functionality and operational components. The resident postgraduate students were excitedly joyful and expressed their satisfaction with the quality of the alternative electrical power supply project.
The project commissioning concluded with a group photograph and informal interactions among the attendees, marking a successful milestone in the Centre’s continuous efforts to enhance infrastructure development and prompt service delivery in educational training, as well as capacity building in space science and technology applications.
Reporter: Adenike Akinpelumi
Editor: Victor Siawe
Media & Corporate Communications Unit, ARCSSTE-E, Nigeria.
