The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Kabiru Bala, has expressed concern that the institution’s electricity bill for a single session surpasses its total overhead costs for 2024.

Specifically, the Vice-Chancellor lamented that the university’s electricity bill for one session amounts to over N310 million, exceeding its annual overhead allocation of N240 million.

Prof. Bala urged the Federal Government to increase funding for universities, warning that without enhanced financial support, these institutions face the risk of collapse.

He made this known in Abuja at the 2024 lecture, dinner, and award night organised by the Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association.

“This year, the overhead allocated to ABU was N240 million for the entire year. However, the electricity bill for ABU during a full session is N310 million. This gives an idea of the underfunding that ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) has consistently highlighted. Many universities, at this rate, may not survive under the current level of funding,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor also called on alumni and friends to support the ABU Endowment Foundation, noting that its Board of Trustees, chaired by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, former Head of Service of the Federation, has set a minimum contribution of N25,000 for all alumni of five years and above.
Recently, ASUU raised alarms about the chronic underfunding of public universities, cautioning that the sector is on the verge of collapse.

Speaking at a programme organized by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, decried the neglect of the education sector. He noted that Nigeria ranks lowest in education budgets among West African countries.

“We conducted a survey across West Africa, and the least budgetary allocation to education by any country is 15 per cent, with the highest being 32 per cent. Meanwhile, Nigeria allocates only 4.5 to 7 per cent, of which less than 70 per cent is released. The Awolowo government allocated over 30 per cent to education,” Osodeke said.

At the event, the President of the ABU Alumni Association, Adamu Kontagora (Barden Kontagora), stressed the need for the government to prioritise education and lauded the contributions of alumni associations in complementing government efforts.

“Every government has its own priorities. What we keep emphasizing is that education should be a top priority. That is why alumni associations are stepping in to fill gaps where the government cannot provide,” he said.

Kontagora echoed the Vice-Chancellor’s concerns about the electricity bill, revealing that ABU incurs a staggering daily charge of N10 million for electricity.

“In terms of electricity, ABU Zaria pays N10 million daily as a light bill. At the end of the month, the bill amounts to about N300 million. Meanwhile, the total overhead allocation from the government is N240 million, which cannot even cover one month of electricity costs,” he said.

The event, attended by prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Namadi Sambo and the Chancellor of the university and Obi of Onitsha, Dr. Alfred Achebe, also featured the presentation of awards to distinguished individuals.

Awardees included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and ex-military governor of old Kano State, Col. Sani Bello (retired), among others.