FG Grants 50% Electricity Subsidy for Varsities

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 50% subsidy for electricity used by Universities and Teaching hospitals, an audacious move that may have brought relief to institutions reeling under huge electricity bills.

To benefit the federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education the various teaching hospitals will also enjoy the subsidy regime. Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, broke the news yesterday in Kaduna.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has magnanimously approved a 50% electricity subsidy to all public hospitals and universities, polytechnic and colleges of education,” he said.

Dr. Alausa said the Ministry of Power is already working out the subsidy payment modalities. Tertiary institutions have been complaining about astronomical electricity bill increases. The rise in power costs followed subsidy reduction in the sector.

In some instances, students have protested against the attempt by the authorities to alternate electricity supply to reduce costs. The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan disagreed with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over an accumulated N400 million bill.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria cried out over a monthly bill of N300 million which will make it indebted to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KADCO) to the tune of N3.6 billion annually.Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) disconnected the University of Lagos this week for owing over N1 billion. The varsity said it had paid N180 million.

The annual electricity budget for 10 varsities is estimated at N247.7 billion. The 10 public institutions with the highest budgets for this year, according to a publication by the Electricity Hub, are University of Nigeria Nsukka (N36.6 billion), University of Calabar (N29.5 billion), ABU (N29.2 billion), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (N26.3 billion), University of Benin (N24.2 billion), University of Ibadan (N23.4 billion), University of Maiduguri (N22.3 billion), University of Port Harcourt (N19.6 billion), University of Lagos (N19.4 billion) and Obafemi Awolowo University (N17.1 billion).

Dr. Alausa, who spoke during the inauguration of the National Ear Care Centre and other critical health sector projects in Kaduna, said they align with the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) to provide affordable and comprehensive healthcare to Nigerians.

He described the newly-launched facilities, including an auditorium, student hostel, oxygen plant, molecular laboratory, and others as crucial.

He spoke of the ongoing efforts to increase training quotas and improve remuneration for healthcare workers to discourage them from jetting out in search of better welfare.

Dr. Alausa further outlined the Federal Ministry of Health’s plans to implement a national electronic medical system to revolutionize patient care and data management.

He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to revamping all the sectors of our economy, especially in the health sector where he is giving us all we want.

“Our country is in the right direction and I want to implore the citizens to be patient with this president. He knows what he is doing.

“Every promise he made to Nigerians, he will fulfill them and he’s already fulfilling a lot of his promises.

“Our country is on the right trajectory now and I want to implore fellow citizens to be positive about our country.

“This is the only country we have and this negativity must stop.”

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, represented by Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, commended the leadership of the President in the provision of the National Ear Care Centre.

She assured the Centre of continued support from the Kaduna State Government to maintain its status as a leading institution in ENT care and research.

Dr. Balarabe said: “Together, we can work towards ensuring that all Nigerians have access to high-quality healthcare services and that the National Ear Care Centre remains a beacon of excellence in the field of ENT.”

The Centre’s Medical Director, Dr. Mustapha Yaro, outlined the newly completed projects, which are part of a broader effort to enhance healthcare infrastructure and services.

He added that among the key projects unveiled were a 200-capacity auditorium and a one-story student hostel for the School of Post-Basic ORL Nursing.