LASU spends N200 million per month on power

Lagos Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, says Lagos State University (LASU) spends over 200 million naira a month on electricity for staff and students.

He said rising energy costs reflect broader challenges facing public universities, including supply network instability and heavy reliance on diesel generators.

Sule disclosed this on Friday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the TETFund/PPP Students’ Hostel project at the university’s main campus in Ojo.

It said the cost covered grid bills and diesel used to power generators at faculties, hostels, administrative buildings and other essential services.

According to him, the development has placed significant financial pressure on the institution, impacting the funds available for academic and infrastructural improvements.

He noted that managing such recurring expenses has become increasingly difficult due to competing priorities within the university system.

He is optimistic that the federally planned power plant will dramatically reduce costs and improve efficiency.

“With the design of this power plant, we believe that a major challenge in electricity supply will be addressed,” he said.

He added that stable electricity would improve teaching, research and student well-being across the institution.

The commissioner described the hostel project as part of a broader effort to improve infrastructure and student wellbeing in tertiary institutions nationwide.

He said the initiative reflects a renewed focus on addressing long-standing deficits in campus housing and facilities.

He highlighted that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has demonstrated commitment to the development of the university through strategic interventions.

He added that the interventions reflect the government’s passion for advancing education and strengthening institutions across the country.

Sule commended the Lagos State Government and the management of the university for the reforms that sustain LASU’s status as a leading institution.

He said the projects will complement existing facilities and address critical needs, particularly in terms of housing and energy supply.

He appreciated the partnership between the federal and state governments, noting that it has eased financial pressure on the state.

He appealed for similar interventions in other state institutions, including LASUSTECH and LASUED.

He urged the Federal Government to expand support to ensure balanced development among tertiary institutions in Lagos State.

Furthermore, Alausa said the project is part of a larger strategy under President Bola Tinubu to improve learning conditions nationwide.

The minister added that the strategy aims to expand access to quality education and ensure stability in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

He noted that infrastructure such as housing, electricity supply and modern learning facilities are essential to achieve global educational standards.

According to him, the federal government, through TETFund, will spend about $100 billion in 2026 on the construction of hostels in 50 institutions.

He said an additional N96 billion under similar interventions took the total allocation to about N200 billion for student accommodation projects.

“This administration recognizes that a quality education goes beyond face-to-face classes. It includes welfare, infrastructure and a stable academic calendar,” Alausa said.

Providing context, he said tertiary institutions have recorded uninterrupted academic calendars for the past three years due to deliberate policies.

He added that improved working relationships and sustained funding have contributed to the stability seen at universities.

He said $60 billion was earmarked in 2026 to rehabilitate medical schools and improve teaching facilities nationwide.

He added that $70 billion has also been allocated for upgrading engineering workshops and laboratories to meet modern standards.

On the energy side, Alausa revealed plans for independent power plants at select institutions, including an 11-megawatt plant at LASU.

He said an additional four-megawatt plant was planned for the Epe campus to ensure stable electricity for academic activities.

He explained that these projects aim to reduce dependence on unreliable public energy supply and expensive diesel production.

Speaking about the LASU project, he said the 1,500-bed hostel will be financed through a PPP involving TETFund and private investors.

According to him, the facility will include a gym, library, canteen and recreational spaces in line with international standards.

He added that the modern design of the hostels would improve student comfort, safety and the overall campus experience.

The minister said the project addressed the significant accommodation deficit in Nigerian universities.

He noted that LASU, with about 84,000 students, currently only has about 7,000 beds.

“This clearly shows the gap we are working to close. Student wellbeing remains a top priority for this government,” he said.

Alausa urged young Nigerians to adopt a positive outlook, warning that persistent negative narratives could discourage investments.

According to him, such perceptions could also limit opportunities for growth, innovation and international collaboration.

He highlighted that government policies increasingly focus on equipping young people with entrepreneurial and technical skills.

He cited ongoing training programs and a proposed entrepreneurship, innovation and business incubation certification system for universities.

He added that the initiative would help students become job creators and contribute significantly to national development.