AFUED Battles N26m Monthly Electricity Bill, Consumes 5,000 Litres of Diesel Biweekly

Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED), Ondo State, is grappling with escalating energy expenses, spending approximately ₦26 million monthly on electricity and consuming 5,000 litres of diesel every two weeks to power generators during outages. This financial strain comes amid the institution’s broader funding challenges.

Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Akintunde, disclosed these figures during a press briefing ahead of the university’s 61st Foundation Day and 35th Convocation Ceremony. He noted that the high energy costs are impacting the university’s ability to address other critical needs.

In response to these challenges, AFUED is exploring alternative power sources to reduce reliance on the national grid and diesel generators. The university aims to enhance its sustainability and ensure uninterrupted academic activities. The upcoming convocation will see the graduation of six cohorts from the 2017/2018 academic session to date. 

The convocation lecture, titled “The Advent of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Nigerian Tertiary Education,” will be delivered by Prof. Toyin Falola of the University of Texas at Austin, USA. Distinguished Nigerians, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Oba (Dr) Victor Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, will receive honorary doctoral degrees at the event.

Moreover, the university announced that 995 students are set to benefit from the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative introduced by the federal government. These students have applied for a total of ₦68,316,200, excluding a monthly stipend of ₦20,000 each.

AFUED’s situation reflects a broader trend among Nigerian tertiary institutions facing high energy costs. For instance, the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) and Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, have reported monthly electricity bills ranging from ₦8 million to ₦30 million, prompting them to consider alternative energy solutions.

As AFUED navigates these financial hurdles, the university community remains hopeful that sustainable energy solutions and increased funding will alleviate the burden and support its mission of providing quality education.