Ahmadu Bello University Spends ₦4 Billion Annually on Power, Vice Chancellor Raises Concerns
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, has disclosed that the institution spends nearly ₦4 billion annually on electricity, describing the huge cost as crippling and unsustainable for the university’s operations.
OTN News further reports as gathered that Ahmed speaking at a press conference marking ABU’s 63rd anniversary, said that the high energy expenditure was adversely affecting research, teaching, and academic productivity.
He stressed that the university was working toward achieving energy self-sufficiency through partnerships and renewable energy innovations to reduce dependence on the national grid.
According to him, the Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), had provided ₦1 billion and approved a 10-megawatt solar power project for the institution.
He also acknowledged the contributions of ABU alumni, particularly the SBS Class of 1975, who are supporting solar initiatives to boost energy generation on campus.
Professor Ahmed lamented that insecurity and poverty continued to pose serious threats to education and development across Northern Nigeria, urging researchers to intensify efforts in agriculture, peace-building, and rural development.
He emphasized ABU’s long-standing leadership in agricultural research through institutes such as the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) and the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), which continue to drive innovation and food security in the region.
Highlighting the institution’s steady growth, the Vice Chancellor noted that ABU has expanded from four faculties in 1962 to 18 faculties, 110 departments, and 17 research centres, making it the largest university in sub-Saharan Africa.
Ahmed announced that ABU had been ranked the best public university in Nigeria by Times Higher Education (THE) in 2025 and is among the three Nigerian universities listed in the QS World University Rankings.
He further revealed that the university had attracted over $15 million in World Bank Centres of Excellence grants and a €5 million Horizon Europe grant for an AI-driven disease diagnosis project. In addition, staff and students of ABU have registered over 30 patents across renewable energy and pharmaceutical research.
Despite these achievements, Ahmed warned that funding shortages, brain drain, and infrastructure decay continue to threaten the university’s sustainability.
He appealed to the university’s alumni and stakeholders to contribute actively to the institution’s development through endowments, scholarships, and donations.
“The Sardauna gave you opportunities; now it’s time to give back,” Ahmed said, referring to the university’s founder, Sir Ahmadu Bello, whose vision continues to inspire ABU’s pursuit of academic excellence and national development.
What's Your Reaction?
