The staggering figure, disclosed during a campus forum on sustainable energy solutions, underscores the broader challenges facing public universities in a country plagued by erratic power supply and soaring tariffs.

Speaking at the event organized by ABU’s Centre for Renewable Energy Research, Professor Adamu painted a grim picture of the university’s operational burdens. 

“We spend approximately ₦4 billion every year just to keep the lights on,” he revealed, emphasizing that this expenditure rivals the institution’s budget for critical areas like research grants and student scholarships. 

Established in 1962 and serving over 70,000 students across its sprawling campuses in Zaria, Kaduna State, ABU has long been a beacon of academic excellence in northern Nigeria. 

However, its reliance on diesel generators and grid electricity from the unreliable national network has turned energy costs into a fiscal black hole.

The Vice Chancellor’s comments come at a time when Nigeria’s power sector is in turmoil. Recent hikes in electricity tariffs by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) up to 240% for some bands have exacerbated the strain on institutions like ABU. 

Professor Adamu attributed the high costs to a combination of factors: outdated infrastructure, frequent blackouts necessitating 24/7 generator use, and the university’s expansive facilities, including hostels, laboratories, and teaching hospitals that guzzle power around the clock.

“Imagine the innovation we could foster if even half of this money went back into our labs or student welfare,” Adamu lamented. 

He highlighted that ABU’s electricity bill has ballooned by over 150% in the past three years, forcing cutbacks in non-essential services. 

Sources within the university administration told reporters that staff salaries and maintenance have also been affected, with some departments resorting to rationed power during peak hours.

In a bid to mitigate the crisis, Professor Adamu announced ambitious plans to transition toward renewable energy. 

“We’re piloting solar mini-grids for our hostels and exploring wind energy for remote campus sites,” he said, adding that partnerships with international donors, including the World Bank’s renewable energy fund, could slash costs by 40% within five years. 

The forum also featured insights from energy experts, who praised ABU’s proactive stance but warned that without government subsidies or policy reforms, such initiatives might falter.Stakeholders have reacted swiftly to the disclosure. 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ABU chapter, issued a statement calling for federal intervention. 

“This is not just ABU’s problem; it’s a national embarrassment,” said Dr. Fatima Bello, the union’s spokesperson. “Universities are training the nation’s future leaders, yet we’re crippling them with archaic energy policies.”