Universities Shutting Down – ASUU Rues N200m to N300m Monthly Electricity Bill
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised alarm over the imminent collapse of many Nigerian universities due to the unsustainable cost of electricity. ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, voiced these concerns on Thursday at the opening of a two-day national conference in Abuja, highlighting the financial strain institutions face.
Prof. Osodeke revealed that several universities are grappling with electricity bills ranging from N200 million to N300 million monthly, while the federal government allocates only N15 million for their total running costs, including electricity and other essential expenses.
He decried the disparity in government spending, pointing out that while universities struggle with minimal funding, senators are reportedly paid N21 million monthly. “What the government gives you to run the system is N15 million, and you get a bill for electricity alone of N300 million. Where is that money coming from? You have to run the laboratories, diesel, and fuel for vehicles,” he explained.
Prof. Osodeke’s remarks underscore the financial challenges facing Nigeria’s higher education institutions, with many now teetering on the edge of closure due to rising operational costs and inadequate government support.
