History

The National Centre for Hydropower Research and Development, University of Ilorin is a research Centre supervised by the Energy Commission of Nigeria. The Centre was established in July 2008 and formally commenced activities in December 2008 with appointment of the pioneer Director, Prof. B. F. Sule (former DVC, MS, University of Ilorin). It was established as a Research Centre under the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN). The ECN was established after the meeting of the Heads of ECOWAS in 1982 at Conakry, where a declaration was made that each member State should establish an Agency called  “Energy Commission” charged with the responsibilities for coordinating and supervising all energy functions and activities within each member State. The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) was established by the Energy Commission Act  No. 62 of 1979, as amended by Act No. 32 of 1998 and Act No. 19 of 1989. There are six Energy Research Centres under the Energy Commission of Nigeria with specific Technical/Research roles. These are:

1. National Centre for Hydropower Research and Development (NACHRED) at the University of Ilorin.
2. National Centre for Energy Research and Development (NCERD), at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
3. Sokoto Energy Research Centre (SERC), at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
4. National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation (NCEEC) at the University of Lagos.
5. National Centre for Energy & Environment (NCEE) at the University of Benin.
6. National Centre for Petroleum Research and Development (NCPRD) at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

NACHRED officially commenced activities with the opening of the temporary office building at the Mini Campus of University of Ilorin on 19th August, 2009 before moving to its present office at Kilometre 18 Ajase-Ipo Road, Ilorin.