A new crisis may be looming in Nigeria’s public universities if vice-chancellors approve a proposed N80,000 electricity fee per student, following a sharp increase in power tariffs by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The commission’s decision, implemented last April, placed universities under “Band A,” which significantly increased their electricity bills, in some cases tripling or quadrupling the costs,leadership reports.
Several universities have struggled to pay these new bills, leading to disconnections by their respective distribution companies (DisCos).
In response, university authorities have considered passing the financial burden onto students. This plan was recently disclosed by Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, the secretary-general of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU).
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In an interview with a national daily, Ochefu revealed that universities are being charged over N200 million monthly for electricity, an amount they cannot afford.
In April 2024, NERC announced a 300 percent increase in the electricity tariff for Band A customers, raising the rate from N68/KWh to N225/KWh.
According to information obtained by LEADERSHIP Weekend, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) saw its monthly electricity bill jump from N80 million under the old tariff structure to N300 million. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi experienced an increase from N30 million to N55 million per month; the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), faced a rise from N80 million to N150 million for its May bill, and the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) saw its bill soar from N70 million to N230 million. Similarly, Bayero University, Kano (BUK), had its bill skyrocket from N30 million to N230 million.
In light of these escalating costs, vice-chancellors have proposed introducing an N80,000 electricity levy per student. This proposal has unsurprisingly sparked outrage among students, parents, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and other stakeholders in the university community.
In separate interviews with LEADERSHIP Weekend, stakeholders expressed concern that students and their families are already burdened by numerous fees, including tuition (for state-owned universities), registration fees, acceptance fees for new students, examination fees, library fees, laboratory fees, sports fees, health services fees, development levies, accommodation or hostel fees, ICT fees, student union dues, departmental and faculty fees, course registration fees, and library development fees. The introduction of an additional N80,000 electricity fee has led to growing opposition from students, parents, and others within the university community.
Critics argue that such a significant fee increase would impose an undue financial burden on students and families already struggling with economic challenges, potentially affecting access to education.
Reacting to the proposal, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President Lucky Emonefe stated that none of his members would pay the electricity fee if it were implemented. NANS, while not having received an official memo on the matter, has firmly rejected any such increase in electricity charges.
NANS Zone C Coordinator, Comrade Anzaku Shedrack, urged the federal government to remove tertiary institutions from Band A, as it has negatively impacted their operations.
“I have not received any memo to that effect, but I want to say that our stance remains that we reject any form of increase in school fees, especially during this difficult time. We understand the country is going through a challenging phase, and students are struggling.
“This is not a justification for any fee increase at a time when parents are struggling to survive and many students are on the brink of dropping out due to the high cost of education in Nigeria.
“We have been in discussions with university administrations, urging them to explore alternative revenue sources instead of increasing school fees. Some institutions have essential services that could generate revenue. We have also engaged with power sector stakeholders and the minister of power to advocate for reclassifying our campuses out of Band A. Our campuses don’t require 24-hour electricity, which is too expensive to manage. Instead, we need just enough electricity for students to study. We also encourage universities to explore solar power options through public-private partnerships to meet their energy needs.
“We continue to urge the government to intervene and ensure our campuses are not kept in Band A, as it is the most expensive band. Reclassifying them to a lower band would reduce the financial strain,” he added.
Martha Mlanga, a parent residing in Lugbe, Abuja, also voiced her concerns, stating that the proposed N80,000 electricity fee is a burden parents cannot bear. She described the fee as excessive and said it would only add to the existing financial strain on parents.
“It’s unacceptable for universities to consider imposing such a steep electricity fee on students. N80,000 is excessive and will make education even more difficult for struggling families.
“As a parent, I find the proposed fee unreasonable. It will place an unfair financial burden on us and threaten our children’s education,” she said.
Another parent, Mr. Isaac Ugwu, echoed these sentiments, calling the proposed fee unaffordable for many families and criticizing the decision as out of touch with Nigeria’s economic realities.
According to him, imposing an N80,000 electricity fee on each student is a heavy-handed approach that will only discourage families from supporting their children’s education.
“The proposed electricity fee is completely unjustifiable. It’s a significant increase that many parents will struggle to manage. It is far too high,” he added.
Meanwhile, the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) chapter of ASUU has warned of escalating expenses if the N80,000 electricity fee is implemented.
In an interview with our correspondent, Dr. Sylvanus Ugoh, chairperson of the UNIABUJA chapter, stated that implementing the fee would mark the beginning of significant financial burdens for families already facing economic challenges.
He said, “These are the issues ASUU has been raising for years, but often, the parents we are fighting for do not see our point of view.
“If ASUU remains silent, they will introduce school fees under the guise of other charges. Many Nigerians simply cannot afford these costs. This is why we continue our national struggle, but sadly, the students and parents we are fighting for often see us differently.
“So, let’s see how the parents handle this battle, but given the current economic crisis in the country, I doubt they will proceed with the fee at this time.
“If N80,000 is just for electricity, imagine what other charges could be. These are the same students whose parents are earning a minimum wage of N70,000, and then you will ask them to pay an N80,000 electricity bill,” Ugoh added.
Other stakeholders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, urged universities to explore internal solutions, such as reducing overhead costs, curbing waste, and generating their electricity using available expertise and resources.
Meanwhile, some universities are considering implementing the proposed fee if it receives approval.
A source at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak officially, said the proposal is still under consideration, but universities must find alternative ways to meet the electricity tariff.
According to the source, the high electricity tariff is significantly affecting operations.
“The government needs to reclassify us back to Band B, or we may have to consider alternative solutions, which may affect students as well,” the source said.
Federal government officials contacted about the contentious proposal declined to comment.
Haruna Lawal Ajo, the acting director of the Directorate of Public Affairs at the National Universities Commission (NUC), did not respond to inquiries about the agency’s position on the levy.
No officials at the Federal Ministry of Education headquarters in Abuja were willing to comment on the matter.
