- Prof. Kayode Ijadunola, Vice Chancellor of Elizade University, warns that rising electricity costs could collapse Nigeria’s university system by 2025.
- The university will confer degrees to 484 graduates, including 51 First Class honours, during its upcoming combined convocation ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor of Elizade University, Prof. Kayode Ijadunola, has raised concerns that Nigeria’s university system could collapse significantly by 2025 unless the government addresses the escalating electricity supply costs to public universities.
During a press conference in Ilara-Mokin, ahead of the university’s combined 8th and 9th convocation ceremony, Ijadunola revealed that the energy budget for tertiary institutions has tripled in recent months, primarily due to the transition to a new Band A electricity billing system implemented by Distribution Companies (DisCos).
Ijadunola highlighted that soaring electricity costs are becoming increasingly unsustainable for universities. Due to the irregularity of the electricity supply, many of them rely on costly diesel-powered generators for backup power.
He stated, “The cost of power threatens the survival of the university system in 2025 if the current challenge remains unaddressed by the relevant authorities.”
In addition to addressing these pressing issues, Ijadunola announced that the university would confer degrees to 484 graduates, including 51 First Class honours, across the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions. The breakdown includes 228 undergraduate degrees for 2022/2023 and 256 for 2023/2024, alongside 74 graduate degrees.
Moreover, the university will award 16 Postgraduate diplomas, 51 Master’s degrees, 2 Master of Philosophy degrees, and 5 Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Notably, this convocation will mark the first time the university awards doctoral and honorary degrees to two distinguished Nigerians recognised for their philanthropic efforts and contributions to educational development in the country.