By Tony Adibe
The Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Oguejiofo T. Ujam has said that escalating cost of electricity is one of the most pressing challenges confronting the UNN, and indeed many institutions across the nation.
Prof. Ujam bemoaned the fact that the UNN is currently grappling with unsustainably high electricity bills, with “monthly expenditures across the Nsukka, Enugu, and Ituku-Ozalla Campuses exceeding an alarming N200 million for Nsukka campus alone as of April 2025.”
The Vice Chancellor spoke in Enugu during the pre-54th Convocation ceremony press briefing held at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) on Tuesday. He lamented that “this financial burden significantly impacts our operational capacity and resource allocation.”
He, however, stressed that the management of the university “has not been deterred by this energy challenge; instead, we have embraced it as an opportunity for innovation and sustainable development.” In responding to the critical issue, the Ujam-led administration has embarked on a comprehensive strategy to mitigate electricity costs and transition towards more sustainable energy sources, he said.
According to him, the university recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency for the provision of 10 megawatts of electricity in the university.  “More significantly, we are actively exploring and investing in alternative energy solutions, including solar and hybrid systems,” Ujam said.
He said these initiatives are not merely about cost reduction, but rather “they are about ensuring a stable and uninterrupted power supply, which is fundamental to supporting our academic, research, and administrative functions.”
On the 54th convocation ceremony, Ujam explained that as a leading first-generation university, the ceremony offered another “unique milestone to recount our achievements, review our strategies and isolate the challenges that dog our path to academic excellence and human capacity building through scientific and sociological inquiry.”
The Vice Chancellor gave the graduation statistics comprising first degrees and diplomas thus: First Class Honours 167; Second Class Honours (Upper Division) 3,485; Second Class Honours (Lower Division) 5,217; Third Class Honours 739; Pass 33 while Unclassified -180, thereby giving a total of 9,821.
Ujam also explained that for the Higher degrees and postgraduate diplomas, the numbers include: Doctor of Philosophy Ph. D -616; Master of Science (M.Sc.) – 1,101; Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) -133 while Diploma is 42 bringing the total to 1,892.
“These figures reflect the dedication and hard work of our students as well as the commitment of our faculty and staff,” Ujam said.
The Convocation Lecture: He said that in keeping with the tradition of the university, the 54th Convocation Lecture, titled “Educated to Rise: From Struggle to Global Strength”, is scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2025. He said the lecturer is the MD/CEO of First Cap Limited and Chairman of the First City Monument Bank, Mr. Ukandu Eme Ukandu, while the chairman of the lecture will be Dr Akinnola Oladejo, the MD/CEO of Prestigious Homes, Ltd, Lagos.
“This lecture promises to be an insightful and inspiring session for our graduating students and the entire university Community,” Ujam said.
