The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been left in darkness following a power cut by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) over an outstanding electricity debt estimated at ₦300 million.
The situation has plunged the institution into a severe crisis, impacting both academic activities and campus life.
The blackout began on August 27, 2024, when EKEDC disconnected UNILAG’s power supply due to unpaid electricity bills.
According to a statement released by the university management on August 28, the disconnection followed a recent upgrade of the university’s tariff category from “Band B” to “Band A” by EKEDC.
This change resulted in a dramatic increase in the university’s monthly electricity charges.
Before the tariff upgrade, UNILAG’s monthly electricity bill ranged between ₦150 million and ₦180 million.
However, under the new “Band A” tariff, the bill for June 2024 nearly doubled, reaching almost ₦300 million.
The university management expressed their regret and frustration over the sudden blackout, stating that despite ongoing negotiations with EKEDC, they were caught off guard by the disconnection.
They reported having made a payment of ₦180 million on August 20, just one week before the power cut.
The management highlighted the growing debt burden on the institution.
They revealed that just two weeks after their meeting with EKEDC, they received an alarming bill of nearly ₦472 million for July 2024, further exacerbating their financial difficulties.
“We kept our promise and paid ₦180 million on August 20, yet on August 27, EKEDC disconnected us without notice and has refused to reconnect the university to the national grid,” the statement read.
The tariff hike that led to the power cut is part of a broader trend of increasing electricity costs in Nigeria.
Electricity distribution companies, including EKEDC, have been adjusting tariffs in response to various economic factors, including inflation, foreign exchange fluctuations, and operational costs.
