An investigation into energy consumption profile of University of Lagos students’ hostel.

The task of resource management is tougher in public tertiary institutions especially in Nigeria where government allocation to education continues to dwindle. A major cost centre for public institutions is the cost of providing energy for classrooms, offices and residences. Expenditure on energy sometimes account for up to 35% of the overall annual budget of most organisations, the percentage is most likely to be higher in most developing and under-developed countries especially in countries where power supply from the national grid is epileptic and have to be heavily complimented by diesel power generating sets. The study investigates the energy consumption profile of students’ hostel at the University of Lagos Nigeria with a view to making recommendations for energy conservation and optimization practices. Through a cross-sectional survey, purposive sampling of 130 students living in the hostels was conducted. Electrical appliances and gadgets used by the respondents were also audited. The audit assessed the power ratings and duration of use of the appliances and gadgets. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools comprising frequency tables, bar chart, sum and mean scores, correlation and ANOVA analysis respectively. The results indicated that electric hot plates, pressing irons and fans are the topmost energy-consuming appliances in the students’ hostels. The study shows a significant correlation between hostel characteristics and energy consumption profile. The study concludes that the annual energy consumed in the students’ hostel is approximately 35GW. The study recommends that the university management should define power wattage threshold for appliances to be used by students in the hostels as a major active energy optimization drive.