UNILAG Plunged into Darkness as EKEDC Disconnects Power Over Debt Dispute

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Akoka campus has been thrown into darkness following the disconnection of its electricity supply by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) over an outstanding debt. This action comes shortly after the university made a payment of ₦180 million to EKEDC for the month of July.

The disconnection was confirmed by the university's management in a statement titled "Important Notice: Power Outage on Campus," released by the Head of the Communication Unit. The statement expressed regret over the abrupt power cut and detailed the university's ongoing challenges with EKEDC regarding billing and tariff rates.

"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 statement read. "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."

The university's management further explained that the institution had been unilaterally migrated from Band B to Band A by EKEDC when the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) introduced differential tariffs. This migration resulted in a significant increase in the university's electricity bills, from an average of ₦150-180 million per month to nearly ₦300 million in June 2024.

UNILAG had expressed its preference to remain on Band B and stated its inability to pay the higher Band A tariff, which it described as unaffordable. Despite ongoing negotiations with EKEDC, the university was issued a bill of ₦472 million for July, further exacerbating its financial burden.

"Within two weeks of this meeting, we were slammed with a bill of almost half a billion (₦472 million) for the month of July, further increasing our debt burden," the statement continued. "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."

In response to the disconnection, UNILAG management has announced plans to ration power supply across the campus until the issue is resolved. The university community has been urged to remain calm, with a schedule of power rationing to be released to help members of the community plan accordingly.

The university's management is reportedly taking necessary steps to address the situation, although no resolution has been announced as of yet.