Nigerian Govt Gives Senator N21Million Monthly And N15Million To A Whole University To Run Affairs –ASUU President
Nigerian universities are struggling under immense financial pressure due to skyrocketing electricity bills, with some institutions paying between N200 million to N300 million monthly.
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, raised this concern on Thursday during the opening of a two-day national conference organized by the union in Abuja.
According to Osodeke, universities receive only N15 million monthly from the federal government for all running costs, including electricity, a figure that falls drastically short of the actual needs.
“What the government gives you to run the system is N15 million, and you get a bill for electricity alone of N300 million.
“Where is that money coming from?” Osodeke questioned, adding that universities must also cover costs for laboratory operations, diesel, and fuel for vehicles.
He further criticized the government’s priorities, stating, “But you know what? A government that will give just N15 million for UNILAG to run, will in turn, give one Senator N21 million a month.”
The ASUU President expressed frustration over the disparity in funding, emphasizing, “The government gives a system N15 million, but an individual gets N21 million. That’s where our priority is.”
Osodeke warned that this unsustainable situation could soon lead to the collapse of many Nigerian universities if not addressed urgently.
Credit:saharareporters.com
