University of Lagos (UNILAG) Akoka has been plunged into total darkness after Eko Electricity Distribution Company disconnected the power supply to the institution over unpaid N300m electricity bills.

UNILAG in a statement on Wednesday, said it has been grappling with the burden of rising electricity costs after EKEDC upgraded the university’s tariff category from “Band B” to “Band A,” resulting in a hike in monthly electricity bills.

UNILAG management revealed that the institution was said to be paying between N150 million and N180 million monthly before the upgrade came into full effect

However, the June bill under the new “Band A” tariff nearly doubled, reaching almost N300 million—a 100% increase that the university is struggling to manage

The management said the blackout that has hit the campus since Tuesday was regrettable.

UNILAG management explained that despite ongoing negotiations with EKEDC and a recent payment of N180 million on August 20, the university was abruptly disconnected from the power supply on August 27, without any prior notice.

“Just two weeks after our meeting, we were hit with a staggering bill of nearly half a billion naira (N472 million) for July, further increasing our debt burden!

“We kept our promise and paid N180 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 management assured the university community that efforts were being made to resolve the issue with EKEDC.

It called for calm and announced that power supply across the campus would be rationed until further notice.