Osodeke claims that the federal government only pays colleges N15 million a month for all operating expenses, including electricity—a sum that is far less than what is actually required.

Rising electricity costs have put a tremendous financial strain on Nigerian universities, some of which are spending between N200 million and N300 million a month.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), brought up this issue on Thursday at the start of the union’s two-day national conference in Abuja.

Osodeke claims that the federal government only pays colleges N15 million a month for all operating expenses, including electricity—a sum that is far less than what is actually required.

The amount of N15 million that the government gives you to run the system is accompanied with a N300 million electricity bill.

“Where is the source of that money?” In response, Osodeke raised the issue of colleges having to pay for diesel and fuel for cars in addition to the expenses of running laboratories.

He went on to attack the government’s agenda, saying, “But you know what? One senator will receive N21 million a month from a government that will only provide N15 million for UNILAG to operate.”

The ASUU President highlighted, “The government gives a system N15 million, but an individual gets N21 million,” in order to convey his anger with the financial gap. Our top priority is there.”

If this unsustainable condition is not immediately handled, Osodeke cautioned, many Nigerian universities may soon collapse.