ABU Spends just ₦4 Billion Yearly on Electricity — VC Cries Out Over Soaring Bills.
The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, has revealed that the institution spends nearly ₦4 billion yearly on electricity, describing the situation as crippling and unsustainable.
Speaking at a news conference marking ABU’s 63rd anniversary, Ahmed said the heavy energy cost was affecting research and academic activities. He disclosed that the university was pursuing energy self-sufficiency through partnerships and innovations, including renewable energy projects.
According to him, the Federal Government had provided ₦1 billion through TETFund and approved a 10-megawatt solar power project, while alumni groups, such as the SBS Class of 1975, were already supporting solar initiatives on campus.
The VC lamented that insecurity and poverty continued to hinder education and development in the North, urging renewed research in agriculture and peacebuilding. He noted ABU’s strength in agricultural research, with institutes like IAR and NAPRI leading regional innovation.
Ahmed also highlighted the university’s growth from four faculties in 1962 to 18 faculties, 110 departments, and 17 research centres making it the largest university in sub-Saharan Africa.
He announced that ABU had been ranked the best public university in Nigeria by Times Higher Education in 2025 and is one of three Nigerian universities listed in the QS World University Rankings.
The VC further revealed that the university had secured over $15 million in World Bank Centres of Excellence grants and a €5 million Horizon grant for an AI-driven disease diagnosis project. Staff and students have also registered over 30 patents across renewable energy and pharmaceuticals.
Despite these successes, Ahmed warned that funding shortages, brain drain, and infrastructure decay remained major challenges. He urged ABU’s alumni to “give back” through endowments and donations, saying, “The Sardauna gave you opportunities; now it’s time to give back.”
The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, has revealed that the institution spends nearly ₦4 billion yearly on electricity, describing the situation as crippling and unsustainable.
Speaking at a news conference marking ABU’s 63rd anniversary, Ahmed said the heavy energy cost was affecting research and academic activities. He disclosed that the university was pursuing energy self-sufficiency through partnerships and innovations, including renewable energy projects.
According to him, the Federal Government had provided ₦1 billion through TETFund and approved a 10-megawatt solar power project, while alumni groups, such as the SBS Class of 1975, were already supporting solar initiatives on campus.
The VC lamented that insecurity and poverty continued to hinder education and development in the North, urging renewed research in agriculture and peacebuilding. He noted ABU’s strength in agricultural research, with institutes like IAR and NAPRI leading regional innovation.
Ahmed also highlighted the university’s growth from four faculties in 1962 to 18 faculties, 110 departments, and 17 research centres making it the largest university in sub-Saharan Africa.
He announced that ABU had been ranked the best public university in Nigeria by Times Higher Education in 2025 and is one of three Nigerian universities listed in the QS World University Rankings.
The VC further revealed that the university had secured over $15 million in World Bank Centres of Excellence grants and a €5 million Horizon grant for an AI-driven disease diagnosis project. Staff and students have also registered over 30 patents across renewable energy and pharmaceuticals.
Despite these successes, Ahmed warned that funding shortages, brain drain, and infrastructure decay remained major challenges. He urged ABU’s alumni to “give back” through endowments and donations, saying, “The Sardauna gave you opportunities; now it’s time to give back.”
ABU Spends just ₦4 Billion Yearly on Electricity — VC Cries Out Over Soaring Bills.
The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, has revealed that the institution spends nearly ₦4 billion yearly on electricity, describing the situation as crippling and unsustainable.
Speaking at a news conference marking ABU’s 63rd anniversary, Ahmed said the heavy energy cost was affecting research and academic activities. He disclosed that the university was pursuing energy self-sufficiency through partnerships and innovations, including renewable energy projects.
According to him, the Federal Government had provided ₦1 billion through TETFund and approved a 10-megawatt solar power project, while alumni groups, such as the SBS Class of 1975, were already supporting solar initiatives on campus.
The VC lamented that insecurity and poverty continued to hinder education and development in the North, urging renewed research in agriculture and peacebuilding. He noted ABU’s strength in agricultural research, with institutes like IAR and NAPRI leading regional innovation.
Ahmed also highlighted the university’s growth from four faculties in 1962 to 18 faculties, 110 departments, and 17 research centres making it the largest university in sub-Saharan Africa.
He announced that ABU had been ranked the best public university in Nigeria by Times Higher Education in 2025 and is one of three Nigerian universities listed in the QS World University Rankings.
The VC further revealed that the university had secured over $15 million in World Bank Centres of Excellence grants and a €5 million Horizon grant for an AI-driven disease diagnosis project. Staff and students have also registered over 30 patents across renewable energy and pharmaceuticals.
Despite these successes, Ahmed warned that funding shortages, brain drain, and infrastructure decay remained major challenges. He urged ABU’s alumni to “give back” through endowments and donations, saying, “The Sardauna gave you opportunities; now it’s time to give back.”
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