Prof. Lilian Salami, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, has voiced alarm over the catastrophic impact of the recent 300 percent energy bill increase on Nigerian universities.
She complained about the severe toll on Nigerian universities, claiming that the majority of the country’s public institutions were on the verge of bankruptcy.
Salami, who also serves as the Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, disclosed that the new tariff issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission increased UNIBEN’s monthly electricity bill from N80m to N280m.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, together with experts and stakeholders, had opposed the tariff increase, claiming that it would force manufacturers out of business, increase inflation, and stifle small and medium-sized businesses.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Prof Salami stated that the university had been unplugged from the national grid because it could not afford to pay approximately N300 million per month for energy.
She stated that due to the high expense of diesel, light was rationed to around four hours per day at the university, as opposed to the previous 24-hour week-long power supply enjoyed by the students.
“Right now, what we are going through is an electricity problem. Before now, the University of Benin could boast at least 20 to 22 hours of light that could run for weeks without a blink.
“But, as soon as the tariff was up, 300 per cent, we went from N80m which was very difficult for us to pa N280m per month. That even came when the students were on vacation.
“So, we were looking to hit N300m per month. No institution can survive paying that kind of money without declaring bankruptcy; we were on the verge of that, so we are telling the students we can’t pay.
“Of course, the reaction we got from the power distribution company is to cut off the light, so right now, the light has been cut off. We are trying to use diesel and now rationing light and the students are unhappy.
“Definitely, they can’t be, when they used to have light 24/7, running into weeks, months and now you are saying to them you can only give them for four hours.”
The vice-chancellor said the institution could not afford to pay the exorbitant cost of electricity or diesel.
“So, they are not happy. If the students tomorrow go to the streets, it is not because we don’t want to give them, but we cannot afford it.
“Yes, we’ve gotten unrest for one reason or the other, but it’s not deliberate on our part, it is outside our control,” she stated.
She highlighted some of the institution’s main successes during the last four years, such as infrastructure expansion with money from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, a reduction in cult-related activities, and improvements in staff and student welfare.
Prof Salami praised TETFund for its multiple intervention activities in public universities and other beneficiary tertiary institutions.
She described TETFund as a “Messiah” who came to save tertiary education in Nigeria, claiming that without the fund, the country’s public universities would have become glorified primary schools.
She remarked that TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, and his management team have given the fund new dimensions, with a greater emphasis on research and the use of technology to push education.
“TETFund to me is like the Messiah that came to the tertiary education system. Firstly, I want to thank ASUU who fought for us and got us to where we are now with interventions.
“I always say that but for the intervention and the assistance we are getting from TETFund, most of our universities would have been gloried primary schools. Not only is it focusing on infrastructure, but even beyond that; helping to revamp research output in universities, dealing with training and you know the role of training of lecturers.
“We want to be abreast with the current information technology. Of recent, I think, the Executive Secretary of TETFund and his team have been focusing on technology, we know that that is where the world is going to, and where the world already is, and I often said that there is no waiting time, whether you join the bus now or you will be left permanently.
“So, we are doing a lot in the universities and thanks to TETFund, because they are now really focusing on technology in education; how to drive education with technology. We are all on the bandwagon now, so we can at least be relevant in today’s world. Everywhere, you talk about technology, so, we are not left behind. We give thanks to TETFund,” she stated.