The vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Wahab Egbewole, says the institution’s monthly electricity bill has jumped from N70 million to N230 million.
Mr Egbewole, in an e-mail message sent to staff members and students of the university, a copy of which was made available to journalists on Monday in Ilorin, said the new monthly electricity bill was not sustainable.
He said the recent hike in electricity tariffs by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) had seriously affected the institution’s budget.
Mr Egbewole, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stressed the urgent need for a critical reassessment of the current electricity usage at the university.
He appealed to both staff members and students to adopt more responsible electricity consumption habits and support the administration’s efforts to implement some cost-saving measures.
According to the vice-chancellor, the management has intensified negotiations for an alternative power supply for the university.
He said all the buildings under construction in the faculties of agriculture, arts, environmental science, law, and social sciences would include provisions for alternative power sources as part of their designs.
The VC added that strategies were being developed to ensure that all faculties and units were equipped with reliable alternative power options.
Mr Egbewole also stressed the need for safeguarding the new facilities from theft and vandalism, adding that they should be protected and maintained.