The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Professor Lilian Salami, has raised concerns about the impact of a recent electricity price increase on Nigerian universities. She warned that many public universities are close to going bankrupt due to the over 300% hike in electricity tariffs.
Professor Salami, who also serves as the Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, explained that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s new rates have significantly increased the university’s electricity bill. What used to be an already difficult N80 million per month has now jumped to N280 million per month.
The increase in electricity costs has not only affected UNIBEN but has also caused similar financial strain across other public universities. The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, along with various experts, have opposed the tariff hike, arguing that it will negatively impact businesses and increase inflation.
In an interview in Abuja, Professor Salami explained that UNIBEN has been disconnected from the national grid because it could not afford the new monthly bill of nearly N300 million. As a result, the university now provides electricity for only about four hours a day, relying on expensive diesel.
“Right now what we going through is an electricity problem. Before now University of Benin could boast of at least 20 to 22 hours of light and that could run for weeks without a blink,” she said. “But as soon as the tariff was up 300 per cent, we went from N80 million which was very difficult for us to pay per month to N280 million per month. That even came when the students were on vacation.”
Professor Salami noted that the current situation is creating discontent among students who were accustomed to nearly constant electricity. She warned that if students protest, it would be due to the unaffordability of the electricity rates, not a deliberate action by the university.
In addition to highlighting the financial struggles, Professor Salami shared some of her achievements over the past four years, including infrastructure improvements, reduced cult-related activities, better staff and student welfare, and new academic programs. She praised the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its support, calling it a “Messiah” for Nigerian tertiary education.
“TETFund to me is like Messiah that came to the tertiary education system. First of all, I want to thank ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities), who fought for and got us to where we are now with interventions,” she said.