UNIBEN boosts efficiency, cuts electricity bill by 50%
UNIBEN boosts efficiency, cuts electricity bill by 50%
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edoba Omoregie, has revealed that the institution has significantly reduced its monthly electricity expenditure from about N250 million to between N120 million and N130 million, as UNIBEN boosts efficiency, cuts electricity bill by 50%.
He said the reduction was achieved through cost-saving measures and improved energy management over the past year.
Omoregie said this on Wednesday in Benin at a news conference on the management and application of the university’s trust development fund.
He said the reduction had significantly eased the financial burden on the institution and improved its capacity to maintain critical infrastructure and services.
“We were paying about N250 million monthly for electricity bill.
“We have successfully reduced electricity bill to within the region of about N120 million to N130 million within the past one year, and that has reduced our burden significantly,” he said.
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Omoregie also said the university had increased revenue from electricity vending, which he noted was almost non-existent before the current administration assumed office in 2024.
According to him, the university now generates N20 million and above monthly from electricity vending to support utility payments and infrastructure maintenance.
He explained that the institution would not rely on intervention funds to settle electricity bills or other routine operational expenses.
“Certainly, we are not going to be using the funds for electricity bills or other recurrent bills which the university is expected to manage,” he said.
The vice-chancellor noted that while infrastructure maintenance remained continuous, the university was prioritising sustainable investments capable of generating long-term returns.
He said the management inherited deteriorated hostel facilities and other infrastructure but had since improved conditions across the campus.
“When I took office, I visited the hostels and they were in a very bad and shabby state, maintenance of infrastructure is a continuing affair,” he said.
Omoregie also disclosed that the university was developing agricultural ventures, including livestock and value-chain projects, to create sustainable income sources.
“We are not just taking money to spend, but taking money to invest in sustainable ventures,” he said.
He added that the university would continue to seek support from intervention agencies and stakeholders during emergencies while ensuring prudent management of resources.
