By Jude Chinedu (Enugu),Okey Sampson (Umuahia), Olanrewaju Lawal (Birnin Kebbi), Noah Ebije (Kaduna), Ighomuaye Lucky (Benin) and Emmanuel Adeyemi (Lokoja)
Students in federal and state universities are having a hard time, trying to cope with inadequate infrastructural facilities such as comfortable lecture halls that are conducive for teaching and learning, shortages of water supply and unstable electricity supply.
Across the country, tertiary institutions are having to deal with the almost crippling cost of electricity supplied by the distribution companies (DisCos) covering the states where the universities are located.
In the wake of the extremely high electricity bills from the DisCos, universities are mulling the option of imposing a flat levy of about N80,000 per student.
The proposed levy has rankled the student population, who have vowed to resist it.
In this report, Sunday Sun presents situation reports from some of the universities in the six geopolitical zones of the country. Excerpt:
ENUGU
The student union governments of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), reacting to the move by the DisCos to fix a flat rate of N80,000 electricity levy on students, said they won’t take it.
In separate interviews with Sunday Sun, the student leaders said that they were not aware of such moves, insisting that it would be fully resisted by the students.
ESUT SUG President, Donatus Okolie-Uwa in his response said that such move was a display of insensitivity to the plight of students who are also suffering the effects of the economic crunch ravaging the nation.
“The thing is that I have not come across such a thing. It has not come to our notice. But if that is true it is not a good one. We are students and charging students such an exorbitant rate is not good considering the kind of situation the country is in now.
“The students are also affected by the economic challenges facing the country. As I’m talking to you now, I’ve not received any memo to that effect,” he said.
Also the SUG president of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enoch Utazi, described the move as strange, saying that he would conduct a poll to gauge the opinion of students on the matter.
“This sounds so strange. I’ve not heard about it. The amount involved is so exorbitant. I cannot say anything on behalf of the students yet. What I will do is to run a poll to know how many students are aware of this and how they will react to it,” he said.
ABIA
The planned move to charge students a flat electricity levy of up to N80,000 in response to the very high electricity bills given to universities by DisCos, is not going down well with some officials and members of the Students Union of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).
Although the institution’s Students Union Government (SUG) President could not be reached for comments on this despite several attempts, the Public Relations Officer of the SUG, Godson Iheke, however, advised the government against taking such a decision.
Iheke who said he was not aware of such plans, stated that such levy might be met with opposition and agitation by the students.
Iheke, stating he was not speaking the minds of the entire students, said introducing such a levy at this time of hardship in the country, could worsen things in the nation.
“Although I’m not aware of the government’s plan on this, if the Federal Government goes ahead to levy students an amount in the neighborhood of N80,000 to offset electricity bills, universities are said to be owing DisCos, it may cause problems in the country.
“Students are definitely going to agitate against such levies, it will not be proper for them to impose that kind of levy on students,” he said.
The MOUAU SUG’s PRO said that he would rather advise the Federal Government to jettison such idea at least for now as it will not be in the interest of the country.
Another executive member of MOUAU SUG who did not want his name in print because he was not authorized to speak for the students’ union, said such prohibitive levy which would add to the huge financial burdens on parents, would not be allowed to see the light of the day by the students.
“It is better they don’t even introduce such a levy because students will fight against it. Look at the hardship people are going through, it was only last year they jacked up school fees in the universities and now they want to come out with this prohibitive levy. I don’t think anybody can accept that,” he said.
Some other students who spoke to Sunday Sun expressed displeasure over such a plan.
They advised the Federal Government to look for other means of raising money to take care of electricity bills in the universities instead of levying, according to them, the already over-levied students.
KEBBI
At the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), students are facing transportation challenges and unstable power supply in the campus. Also, the health facility within the campus is not equipped.
President of the Student Union Government, Comrade Ahmad S. Mungadi in chat with Sunday Sun lamented over the student’s ordeal in the campus.
He told Sunday Sun: “We, the students, are facing numerous challenges on campus, including inadequate transportation arising from lack of school buses and other mobility options. There is unstable electricity supply as we experience frequent power outages which disrupt academic and social activities.
“As of today, there is water scarcity. The supply of water is insufficient because we have a limited number of boreholes. Moreover, limited availability of hostels has in turn created an accommodation crisis, leaving many students without a comfortable place to stay.
“On-campus, there is very inadequate healthcare because our school clinic lacks essential medicines, compromising our health and well-being.”
In a chat with the Head of the Public Relations Unit of FUBK, Jamilu Mohammed Magaji, acknowledged the shortcomings, but stated the leadership of the university has been steadfast in its efforts to tackle and resolve the challenges confronting both the staff and the students.
“As a fast growing university, the transportation needs of teeming students and staff of Federal University Birnin Kebbi are quite enormous. The university is mindful of the transportation challenges and has reached out to the state government and selected philanthropists for support. We’re hopeful that something positive would come out of this.
“The unstable electricity supply is peculiar to virtually all universities in the country due to frivolous increment in the electricity tariff. In the case of FUBK, we have been loadshedding on generators at hostels and the Senate Building. As unsustainable as this could be, we are exploring avenues for renewable energy to service academic buildings in the institution.
“The issue of accommodation is also germane. I can bet that no university boasts of having adequate accommodation facilities. As far as we’re concerned, friends of the university and other privileged members of the society could also play a role in this and offer support. The administration of universities is a tradition of town and gown. We have taken this plea to elected representatives, political appointees, and traditional rulers. We’re optimistic that the host community would intervene to ameliorate the situation,” Magaji said.
KADUNA
Authorities of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, like all other public universities in Nigeria, are disturbed by the financial situation of the tertiary institution. The university, it was gathered, cannot cope with the current power situation because of the high cost of electricity tariff.
The Director, Public Affairs Directorate, ABU, Zaria, Malam Auwalu Umar, told Sunday Sun that before the recent increase in the electricity tariff, the university used to pay an average of N120 million every month.
This bill, according to Umar, excluded the huge money it also expended to procure diesel to power its generators when there was no electricity from the national grid.
“Ahmadu Bello University, like all other public universities in Nigeria, cannot cope with the current power situation given the high electricity tariff. Before the recent increase in the electricity tariff in the country the university used to pay on average around N120 million every month. This is excluding the huge money it equally expended to procure diesel to power its generators when there was no electricity supply from the national grid.
“Now, with the proposed increase in the electricity tariff the university’s monthly electricity bills shot up to N320 million on average. So, the university simply can’t cope up the situation, especially when students are in session. The money is not there to pay these huge monthly electricity bills. The subvention, which the university receives every year from the Federal Government, can’t cover its electricity bills for one month. So, this is the situation at present. “However, the university management is making frantic efforts to cut power wastages to reduce the cost. This is in addition to various consultations the university management is making here and there with key stakeholders on how to get out of the electricity quagmire,” Umar said.
Some of the students who spoke on condition of anonymity said the erratic power supply has affected their reading and other academic activities because they have resorted to using candles, as well as trying to make do with battery-powered torches.
They noted that they could stay for many hours without enjoying electricity on campus, except when the university authorities put on the school generator.
The ABU students advised the university authorities to find lasting solutions to the problem of electricity on the campus.
On his part, the students union leader of Kaduna State University (KASU), Ezra Jonah, told Sunday Sun: “It is not easy with high cost of electricity tariff, but the students of Kaduna State University (KASU) with the intervention of the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, I will say that Kaduna State students are finding it easy accessing electricity.
“The governor has put more effort into the education sector, and his efforts have made electricity in Kaduna State easy for the students to access. Few months ago, Kafanchan Campus of KASU had issues about electricity, but the governor fixed it in a few weeks.”
EDO
The students of the University of Benin (Uniben) will no doubt pay through their noses if they must enjoy constant power supply on campus.
Interim Students’ Union President, University of Benin, Collins Obhiozele, who spoke with Sunday Sun on the burden students are currently bearing said the proposed flat electricity levy, although intended to address the precarious financial situation of the institution would unfortunately place an additional strain on their parents, guardians and self-sponsored students.
His words: “We understand the challenges posed by the high electricity bills from DisCos, and we appreciate the efforts of our school management to negotiate with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company.
“The temporary break from school was a necessary measure and we commend the management’s commitment to finding a solution.
“However, we cannot ignore the harsh economic realities our families face. Many of our parents are already stretched thin and this additional levy would push them to the brink.
“As students, we are not just academic-minded, but also individuals with families, hopes and dreams.
“We urge the management and stakeholders to consider alternative solutions that balance the financial needs of the university with the economic struggles of our families. We propose exploring sustainable energy options, energy-efficient practices and collaborative partnerships to mitigate the financial burden.
“Let us work together to find a solution that prioritizes both the university’s needs and our families’ well-being. We appreciate the management’s efforts and commitment to our education. Together, we can navigate these challenges and emerge stronger.”
However, Sunday Sun tried to get the view of the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Dr. Ehanire Benedicta, on what measures are being taken by the management of the school to reduce the burden on the students, but she said she could not comment on the matter.
KOGI
Students of the Federal University, Lokoja, have every reason to feel relieved as the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, has given assurance that there is no plan to levy students or charge them extra money due to the increase in the electricity bills being given to them by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), following the re-classification of universities and hospitals under Band A, under which customers are supplied more regular power, but also get higher monthly bills.
Speaking with our correspondent, the VC lamented the university was receiving very high monthly electricity bills, which he noted had become unbearable.
He said the development had made the management of the institution to deliberate on the possibility of removing the institution from the Band A and leave it as it was before the change.
According to him, this became more imperative as the institution has moved away from Adankolo campus in the town which was connected to the Band A to its Felele permanent site where activities are now more prominent.
Prof. Akinwumi, who disclosed that the institution recognized the plight of students and their parents, especially in this trying period, said he would not do anything to increase their hardship and, therefore, would not adopt the idea of levying the students as a solution to the high electricity bills.