NANS Vows to Challenge Nigerian Universities Over Proposed N80,000 Electricity Fee

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has pledged to confront Nigerian universities over a proposed N80,000 electricity fee, describing it as exorbitant and unsustainable for students.

The fee proposal was revealed by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), with Secretary-General Professor Yakubu Ochefu disclosing that university students might be required to pay up to N80,000 each to help cover rising electricity costs.

Ochefu explained that the monthly electricity bills for universities, previously around N61 million, had surged to over N200 million due to the introduction of the Band A system and subsequent tariff hikes.

The proposed fee is seen as a response to the increasing cost of electricity, which universities claim they can no longer absorb without shifting some of the burden onto students. However, NANS has strongly opposed this move.

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In an interview, NANS National President Lucky Emonefe rejected the idea of transferring electricity costs to students. “It is not possible. Nigerian students cannot pay such exorbitant fees.

While we understand there has been a hike in electricity tariffs, the burden cannot be put on the students,” Emonefe asserted.

He further emphasized that NANS is committed to resisting any attempts to increase electricity tariffs for students and has called on the government to subsidize these costs for educational institutions.

“The electricity tariff hike is one of the issues we are engaging the government on. It is not the fault of the Vice Chancellors, but we agree that the government should remove our institutions from Band A and place them in Band B. No Nigerian student will pay that N80,000; we will reject it,” Emonefe stated.

NANS has also warned that it will mobilize students nationwide to protest against the proposed fee if universities and the government do not address their concerns.

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This development comes amid rising concerns over the increasing cost of education in Nigeria, with students already grappling with tuition fees, accommodation costs, and other expenses.

The proposed electricity bill adds another financial burden to students, many of whom are already struggling to afford their education.