BAND A ELECTRICITY TARIFF DRAINING FUT MINNA FUNDS, VC RAISES ALARM

BAND A ELECTRICITY TARIFF DRAINING FUT MINNA FUNDS, VC RAISES ALARM


The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna), Prof. Faruk Kuta, has raised concerns over the financial strain caused by electricity bills under the Band A tariff regime, warning that the cost is significantly draining the university’s limited resources.

Speaking during a press conference held as part of the institution’s 34th Convocation Ceremony and 43rd Founders’ Day celebration on Sunday, Prof. Kuta said a substantial portion of the university’s funds is being channelled into settling electricity bills, limiting its ability to address other critical development needs.

According to the vice-chancellor, the financial burden from power costs has affected the institution’s capacity to improve campus transportation, a challenge that has forced staff and students to endure long queues due to insufficient buses and tricycles.

He explained that FUT Minna, like many federal universities, was migrated to the Band A electricity category, resulting in significantly higher energy charges despite relatively controlled power consumption levels on campus.

“When students are fully on campus, our monthly electricity bill is about ₦80 million,” Kuta disclosed.

He noted that with two academic semesters running approximately four months each, the institution spends an estimated ₦640 million annually on electricity alone.

The vice-chancellor stressed that the scale of the expenditure has diverted funds that would have been used to improve transportation services and other infrastructure across the university.

Despite the challenge, Kuta said the university is actively engaging relevant stakeholders and exploring solutions, expressing optimism that 2026 would bring noticeable improvements in campus transportation.

Beyond the electricity challenge, the vice-chancellor highlighted several milestones recorded by the institution, including the securing of a ₦1 billion TETFund Agricultural Commercial Farm Grant, which places FUT Minna among ten beneficiary universities nationwide.

He also announced the successful establishment of the College of Medical Sciences and Health Technology, noting that it has received full approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC), with pioneer students already admitted for the 2025/2026 academic session.

In addition, the university attracted major international research funding, including a $3 million ICT development grant from Agence Française de Développement and a £15,000 Open Access Books grant from the United Kingdom.

The university management reiterated its commitment to prudent resource management while calling for policy considerations that take into account the financial realities faced by public tertiary institutions.

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