Nigerian university students may soon be charged N80,000 or more to cover the rising cost of electricity, according to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU).
In an interview, CVCNU Secretary-General, Professor Yakubu Ochefu, explained that universities cannot afford the current monthly electricity costs, which have soared to over N200 million. Before the recent increase in tariffs, universities were paying around N61 million monthly.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission raised the electricity tariff for Band A customers, who receive at least 20 hours of electricity per day, from N68 per kWh to N225 per kWh in April 2024. This 300% increase has significantly impacted universities.
“Universities used to pay around N1 billion annually for electricity, but now the cost has risen to N4 billion per annum. If the Federal Government doesn’t step in, these costs will be transferred to students as user charges, amounting to N80,000 per student,” Ochefu said.
Many universities have already expressed concern over the steep increase in their electricity bills. For instance, Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and the University of Benin reported receiving electricity bills totaling N3.6 billion, averaging N300 million monthly.
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Professor Lilian Salami, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, stated that the university had been disconnected from the national grid due to its inability to pay the new rates.
“We cannot afford to pay about N300 million monthly for electricity,” she said.
Ochefu highlighted that universities like the University of Benin are currently running generators for just four hours daily, costing around N60 million per month.
“This is unsustainable, given the need for a functioning library, internet access, and laboratory facilities,” he added.
The Vice-Chancellors have appealed to the Federal Government for support, requesting either a concessionary rate or a return to the previous rates.
“We have written to the President and are now waiting for the pro-chancellors to follow up with the request. The current charges are unrealistic, and the Federal Government needs to reconsider this decision,” Ochefu said.