The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has formally asked the Federal Ministry of Power to take immediate steps to remedy the persistent electricity deficits affecting university campuses and surrounding student communities, stating that the problem is undermining academic work, student‑run businesses and personal safety.
Representing more than 21.2 million undergraduate and postgraduate learners in Nigeria and abroad, NAUS says that erratic power is making it harder for students to study, carry out research, join virtual lectures and meet deadlines.
Comrade Dr Meshach Anthony Nwankwo, NAUS National President, released the appeal in a statement to journalists in Abuja on Saturday. He urged Minister of Power Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe to prioritise a stable electricity supply for university environments, emphasizing that dependable power is a cornerstone for improving higher‑education quality.
Nwankwo acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives to broaden access to education and strengthen support systems for students, and praised Minister of Education Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa for turning the President’s agenda into concrete policies and programmes.
However, the NAUS leader warned that any educational reforms will have limited effect without a reliable power grid to back teaching, learning and research. He described electricity not as a luxury but as a necessity for academic survival.
> “For the average Nigerian university student, electricity goes beyond > lighting a room. It determines whether they can charge phones and laptops, > access lecture materials, conduct research, complete assignments, attend > virtual classes and prepare adequately for examinations,” Nwankwo said.
He expressed concern that students are sometimes forced to leave their hostels in search of charging points, exposing them to avoidable security risks, especially female students who may have to venture into unfamiliar or unsafe areas.
> “These are not experiences that should form part of the burden of acquiring > a university education,” he added.
The president also highlighted that lecturers and other academic staff living on campuses suffer from the same power constraints, which impede lecture preparation, research activities and overall professional duties. He argued that the ripple effects of poor electricity extend beyond individual performance, weakening the entire university ecosystem.
NAUS therefore appealed to the Ministry of Power for targeted interventions that would guarantee a sustainable electricity supply across campuses and neighbouring communities. Beyond public pleas, the association said it is ready to work with the ministry by supplying first‑hand data on affected sites.
Nwankwo noted that NAUS has structures and representatives on campuses nationwide and can provide location‑specific reports to help pinpoint areas with chronic shortages.
> “We are set to engage the Honourable Minister on a practical framework > through which we can identify the affected communities, highlight possible > operational bottlenecks and provide credible information that will support > targeted interventions,” he said.
He added that students residing in these communities can offer valuable insights into electricity challenges that may not be captured in official statistics. The association is prepared to complement the ministry’s efforts with its grassroots presence and direct access to university populations.
Nonetheless, Nwankwo maintained that students’ welfare and academic interests must not be compromised.
> “President Tinubu’s educational reforms deserve a power sector that can > sustain their impact. The responsibility for transforming education cannot > rest on the Ministry of Education alone; every relevant sector must > contribute to creating an enabling environment for our students,” he > asserted.
He concluded by promising that NAUS will continue to amplify student concerns and advocate for an academic environment where the lack of basic amenities does not hinder ambition.