Tariff hike: UNILORIN power bill jumped from N70m to N230m, says VC

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole (SAN), has expressed concern over the hike in electricity tariffs imposed by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, which he said had affected the university budget.

In an electronic message sent to staff and students of the university on June 6, 2024, Egbewole disclosed that the institution’s monthly electricity bill had skyrocketed from N70m to N230m per month, a situation he described as “unsustainable”.

He stressed the need for a critical reassessment of current electricity usage as he appealed to both staff and students to adopt more responsible electricity consumption habits.

The professor of International Law and Jurisprudence said the administration was intensifying negotiations for alternative power supply solutions which, he said, “are expected to yield positive results soon.”

Egbewole announced that all new buildings under construction in the faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Environmental Science, Law, and Social Sciences would include provisions for alternative power sources as part of their design.

He added that strategies were being developed to ensure that all faculties and units were equipped with reliable alternative power options.

Egbewole expressed gratitude to the staff and students for their resilience and cooperation during the recent disruptions in electricity and water supply.

“The past few days have demonstrated the sterling qualities in us as staff and students of this great university. The administration remains ever grateful for this show of very deep support for the university in the face of the daunting challenges,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor reassured the university community of the administration’s commitment to addressing the economic challenges affecting the university despite the economic challenges.