NANS decried the disconnection of UNILAG from the national grid because of the inability of the school to fully pay a monthly bill of over N400 million.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has condemned the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), for disconnecting the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and placing university on tariff Band A.
The body, in a statement by the President of the Senate, Comrade Akinteye Afeez, said placing higher institutions on Band A was contrary to the wish of the schools.
It also decried the disconnection of UNILAG from the national grid because of the inability of the school to fully pay a monthly bill of over N400 million.
“We vehemently condemn the recent actions of the Eko Distribution Company (EKEDC), which has not only disconnected the University of Lagos (UNILAG) from the power supply but has also arbitrarily moved the university from tariff Band B to Band A. This sudden and unwarranted decision, made without proper consultation, has led to an exorbitant increase in electricity bills from around N150 million to nearly N300 million per month.
“The situation at UNILAG is not an isolated incident. Across the country, other universities have faced similar challenges, where electricity distribution companies have arbitrarily moved institutions to Band A tariffs without considering the financial constraints of these institutions. This exploitative behaviour has been a recurring issue, with universities struggling to meet these exorbitant charges while maintaining essential services for students.
“Despite continuous engagement and clear communication from these universities that they cannot afford such high tariffs, distribution companies, like EKEDC, have chosen to ignore these realities. Their actions are not only unprofessional but also a blatant disregard for the challenges faced by our educational institutions and the students who rely on them.
“The case of UNILAG is the latest example of this unjust treatment, where the university, previously paying between N150 million and N180 million monthly, is now being forced to pay almost N300 million per month—a nearly 100% increase. This unwarranted hike will undoubtedly lead to devastating consequences, including potential increases in tuition fees and prolonged power outages, which will severely disrupt the education and well-being of students.
“In response to this blatant act of wickedness, NANS declares war on EKEDC and calls on all UNILAG students and the Lagos JCC to occupy all EKEDC offices across Lagos until the university is returned to tariff Band B and power is restored to the campus. Furthermore, NANS is extending this call to all students across the country to occupy the offices of any electricity distribution company that has unilaterally placed their universities in Band A against their will.
“We demand that all electricity distribution companies across Nigeria immediately reverse any arbitrary tariff hikes and return universities to their previous tariff bands. The future of our education depends on our ability to access affordable and reliable power, and we will not stand by while these companies continue to exploit our institutions.”
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