- ASUU demands NERC reverse a 300% power bill increase for universities, which would raise monthly costs from N5.3 million to N21.5 million.
- ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke criticises the Band A tariff system and calls for uniform electricity rates based on actual consumption.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to reverse the recently increased power bills for universities, which have soared 300 per cent to a staggering N21.48 billion monthly. Emmanuel Osodeke, the ASUU President, criticised the current Band A classification and the resulting tariff hike, which has seen university power costs jump from N5.3 million to N21.5 million per month.
In April, NERC tripled the electricity tariffs for Band A customers from N68/KWh to N225/KWh. This change affects all Nigerian universities that previously paid significantly lower rates. The tariff adjustment, intended for consumers who are guaranteed at least 20 hours of electricity daily, has prompted widespread discontent among tertiary institutions.
Osodeke condemned the Band A classification, arguing that billing should reflect actual energy consumption rather than arbitrary categories. He called for a uniform rate system in which all users pay based on the units of electricity consumed rather than being penalised for their classification.
The Committees of Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) have also demanded a tariff concession. Secretary-General Yakubu Ochefu highlighted the drastic increase in electricity costs, noting that first-generation universities saw their monthly bills rise from about N80 million to N300 million.
At the same time, second-generation institutions faced increases from N50 million to N200 million. Private universities and those established under former President Goodluck Jonathan have similarly experienced substantial cost hikes.
ASUU and CVCNU advocate for fair and equitable electricity billing across all institutions, stressing the need for the federal government to address these concerns promptly.