The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos State has been thrown into darkness by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) over outstanding debt.

The UNILAG management confirmed the development via a statement on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.

The university disclosed that it paid the sum of N180 million to EKEDC but was abruptly cut off from electricity supply on Tuesday, August 27, without prior notice of disconnection and despite engagement with the management of the company.

The university stated: “The University of Lagos management wishes to appeal to members of the university community over the power outage on campus due to disconnection of electricity supply by EKEDC.

“The university just paid the sum of ₦180 million to EKEDC but was abruptly cut off from electricity supply Tuesday, August 27, 2024, without prior notice of disconnection and despite engaging with the management of EKEDC the company has declined to reconnect in spite of previous agreements.”

UNILAG management noted that the university was unilaterally migrated from Band B to Band A when the differential tariffs were introduced by NERC, which raised the bill from an average of 150-180 million/month to almost 300 million/month in the June 2024 bill.

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The university further stated that it engaged the management of EKEDC in talks over the exorbitant June bill and reiterated its preference to remain on Band B and its absolute incapability to pay bills generated on Band A.

Other reasons given include the university’s inability to pay more than N180 million per month till the end of this budget year and that the outstanding will be captured in the next budget.

In the statement made available to The Star, the management said: “Throughout its meetings with EKEDC, the university made it abundantly clear that it could never afford the Band A tariff on which the university was placed.

“Within two weeks of this meeting, we were slammed with a bill of almost half a billion (N472 million) for the month of July further increasing our debt burden.

“We kept to our word and ensured we paid 180 million on the 20th of August but on the 27th of August without any prior notice, EKEDC disconnected the university.

“Despite the foregoing, management regrets the situation and is taking necessary steps to address the issue.

“In the meantime, members of the university community are enjoined to remain calm and note that there would be a rationing of power supply across campus until further notice.

“The schedule of rationing will be released so that members of the community can adequately plan.”

The Star