Electricity hike: Al-Hikmah University pays N72 million bills in three months

Prof Noah Yusuf, Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, Kwara State, said that the university paid N72 million to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBDEC) over the last three months.

He added that before the tariff hike, the university paid N8 million every month.

Prof. Yusuf said: “The university is desirous to solve the problem of rising cost of energy as a result of the categorisation of the university into ‘Band A’ and which has resulted to an astronomical increase in electricity bills from N8 million to N25 million, N29 million and N18 million in the past three months respectively.”

The Professor of Peace Studies spoke with reporters in Ilorin to commemorate his fourth year anniversary as vice chancellor of the institution.

“To solve the above problem, the university through council approval, has embraced the idea of energy mix, which will soon lead to installation of solar powered gadgets on our campuses, which is to be implemented in phases.

“Further, staff and students have been sensitised on responsible power usage on campuses.”

He also mentioned that providing accommodations to “all students as the ultimate goal of the university” was a challenge.

Prof. Yusuf said that the university is in touch with the Nigeria Police High Command to train senior police officers in management.

“The university is currently in discussion with the Nigeria Police that will lead into collaboration between the two institutions.

“Hopefully, the Centre for Peace and Security Studies of the university would be fully engaged on training programmes at the Nigeria Police Intelligence Training College, Share, Kwara State as soon as it is commissioned.

“In addition, the university’s partnership with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolutions (IPCR) in Abuja is being strengthened,” he said.