Nigerian universities are facing tremendous financial strain as electricity tariff increases, with some institutions paying between N200 million and N300 million per month, according to Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke.
Speaking on Thursday at the start of a two-day national conference in Abuja, Osodeke emphasised the mounting financial pressure on universities.
Osodeke raised worry that the federal government only provides N15 million per month to universities for all operating costs, including electricity. This amount, he stated, falls well short of the institutions’ actual needs.
“What the government gives you to run the system is N15 million, and you get a bill for electricity alone of N300 million,” he said, pointing out the wide gap in financial provisions.
The ASUU president also criticised the government’s spending priorities. “A government that will only give N15 million for UNILAG to run will give one Senator N21 million per month,” Osodeke said, frustrated by the imbalance.
He emphasised the absurdity that, as institutions fight to stay afloat, individual Senators receive more money than entire universities.
“The government gives a system N15 million, but an individual gets N21 million. That’s where our priority is,” he bemoaned, urging rapid improvements.
Osodeke cautioned that the financial strain on universities, worsened by high electricity bills and limited government financing, could lead to the collapse of many institutions if not handled urgently.
