The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, has disclosed a significant increase in the institution’s monthly electricity bill, which has surged from N70 million to a staggering N230 million.
This announcement was made in an email sent to staff and students, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Monday in Ilorin.
Prof. Egbewole attributed the sharp rise in costs to the recent hike in electricity tariffs by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), which has severely impacted the university’s budget.
“The new monthly electricity bill is not sustainable,” he stated, emphasizing the urgent need for a critical reassessment of the university’s current electricity usage.
In his message, the Vice-Chancellor, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), called on staff and students to adopt more responsible electricity consumption habits and support the administration’s efforts to implement cost-saving measures.
“We must all work together to manage our resources effectively and reduce unnecessary electricity consumption,” he urged.
In response to the financial strain, Egbewole revealed that the university’s management is actively negotiating for alternative power supplies.
He highlighted that all new buildings under construction in the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Environmental Science, Law, and Social Sciences will include provisions for alternative power sources as part of their designs.
“We are developing strategies to ensure that all faculties and units are equipped with reliable alternative power options,” he said, adding that these measures are crucial for the university’s sustainability and financial stability.
Egbewole also underscored the importance of protecting and maintaining the new facilities from theft and vandalism.
“We need to safeguard our investments and ensure that our new facilities are well-protected and maintained,” he concluded.
