UI bemoans receiving N10 million for a monthly operational expense of N200 million

Prof. Aderonke Baiyeroju, Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Academics at the University of Ibadan, has expressed regret over the financial state of the esteemed university. She revealed that the government provides the university with N10 million per month, but that the institution spends over N200 million on utilities alone.

Baiyeroju said this yesterday while accepting equipment donated to Diamond 101.I FM, Ibadan, which is owned by the university, on behalf of Vice Chancellor Prof. Kayode Adebowale.

The DVC said: “The university appreciates greatly when people give back and these are people, who were not being paid for the work they did. Though they came to learn, they worked for the university and then they came back. The university is very grateful for this and we hope that many more groups will do this kind of thing for the university.

“For those who have benefited, they should also look back and give back to the university. This is the university that made them, especially those who were students here.

“Financially, the university is not doing well. When people come back to help us, we appreciate that. Diamond FM should go further and improve. It is on our list of things to do. We will do something.’’

According to him, the electricity bill takes over N100 million, monthly, asking: “Where do we make N100 million from, is it from UI waters or hotels? So, everything we are making in the university is going towards utilities, water, water treatment, electricity and diesel. We are spending over N200 million every month on just utilities.

“The government gives us about N10 million a month, what does that do?”

Mrs Ibikunoluwa Otesile, a 2008 volunteer with Diamond 101.5FM, who led other colleagues to donate the items, said: “We were students of UI then and we served at Diamond FM. All of us have left; some are in different countries. Some are still in the media industry. A committee was put together and we taxed ourselves to put this together. We want to say a thank you to the VC.

“We cut our teeth at Diamond FM as pioneer volunteers. We did not forget where we started. The effort will give a bit more attention to the station. It will add value to the station in promoting excellence. The station is not where it should be.’’