The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has been plunged into darkness by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) over outstanding debt.
This was made known by the university management in a statement titled: ‘Important notice: Power outage on campus’ on Wednesday.
The statement stated that the disconnection of electricity supply comes after the institution had paid the EKEDC N180m for the month of July.
The University stated that its challenge was further made worse when EKEDC upgraded the university’s tariff category from “Band B” to “Band A,” resulting in a hike in monthly electricity bills.
The management explained that despite ongoing negotiations with EKEDC and a recent payment of N180m on August 20, the university was abruptly disconnected from the power supply on August 27, without any prior notice.
“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 the EKEDC.
“The university just paid N180m to the EKEDC but was abruptly cut off from electricity supply on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, without prior notice of disconnection, and despite engaging with the management of the EKEDC, the company has declined to reconnect in spite of previous agreements.
“Just two weeks after our meeting, we were hit with a staggering bill of nearly half a billion naira (N472m) for July, further increasing our debt burden!
“We kept our promise and paid N180m on August 20, yet on August 27, EKEDC disconnected us without notice and has refused to reconnect the university to the national grid,” the statement said.
The institution, however, stated that despite the foregoing, management regretted the situation and was 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 the campus until further notice. The schedule of rationing will be released so that members of the community can adequately plan,” the statement said.