Students from the University of Ibadan (UI) in Oyo State took to the streets on Wednesday to protest an 82-day power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
The peaceful demonstration brought attention to the prolonged lack of electricity, which has been a significant challenge for the institution.
The University College Hospital, a key teaching hospital for UI medical students, has faced repeated disconnections from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over unpaid bills.
Reports indicate that UCH’s power supply was first cut in November 2023 and again in March 2024 due to mounting debts owed to the distribution company. Despite the passage of nearly a year since the initial disruption, electricity has not yet been restored.
The ongoing power crisis has caused widespread dissatisfaction, prompting hundreds of students to join the protest. The President of the Students’ Union (SU), Bolaji Aweda, led the march, voicing the concerns of the affected students.
Aweda noted, “We are protesting against what is happening. And, of course, our students are affected. For 82 days, there has been no light at UCH, and this is due to the inability of UCH to pay its electricity bill to IBEDC. IBEDC has demanded that UCH settle its debt before they will restore power.”
The lack of power at the hospital has had far-reaching consequences, particularly for medical students who rely on UCH’s facilities for their training. Many have reported difficulties in conducting clinical practice, accessing essential resources, and ensuring patient care standards are maintained.
Witnesses at the scene described the protest as orderly and well-organized, with students holding placards and chanting slogans to draw attention to the issue. The demonstration underscored the growing frustration over the situation and the urgent need for a resolution.
