By Abigail Philip David
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Lagos State Chapter, has urged authorities to address the persistent electricity challenges plaguing tertiary institutions across the state.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the Lagos State College of Health Technology, the newly elected NANS Chairman, Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Quadri, highlighted the dire situation on campuses caused by inadequate power supply and poor infrastructure.
Abdul-Quadri expressed gratitude for the smooth conduct of the NANS elections on December 14, 2024, but emphasized the urgent need for action to improve electricity supply. He particularly drew attention to the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), where students reportedly receive just four hours of electricity daily despite being placed in Band A, which should guarantee up to 20 hours of power.
“This situation has severely disrupted academic activities,” Abdul-Quadri said, urging the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to resolve the issue promptly.
He also decried the prolonged electricity outage in institutions across the Epe region, including LASUED, MOCOPED, YABATECH, and LASU. According to him, some of these institutions have endured inconsistent electricity for over a decade, with recent incidents of cable theft worsening the situation.
“We call on the government to intervene and restore power supply. We also plead with Ikeja Disco to urgently restore electricity to Epe. Enough of the darkness in the entire town,” he said.
Additional Issues Across Campuses
Abdul-Quadri also highlighted other challenges affecting Lagos institutions. He criticized the University of Lagos (UNILAG) management for inadequate hostel accommodation and the over-reliance on online classes, which has persisted despite the recent hike in tuition and utility fees. According to NANS, students are not receiving value for the increased fees, including access to on-campus facilities.
He called on UNILAG authorities to urgently address these shortcomings to ensure a conducive learning environment.
At the Lagos State College of Health Technology, Abdul-Quadri lamented a 30% hike in tuition fees, urging the institution to reconsider the decision. He emphasized the need to make education affordable, especially given the current economic hardship.
NYSC Policy Concerns
NANS also raised concerns about a policy barring students who transition from part-time National Diploma (ND) to full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes from participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The association appealed to NYSC and JAMB to reverse the policy, arguing that it unfairly penalizes students and jeopardizes their future opportunities.
The student body called for urgent government intervention to resolve these pressing issues and create a supportive environment for learning in Lagos institutions.
