Medical students at the University of Ibadan (UI) staged a protest on Thursday against the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for disconnecting power to their halls of residence, despite the recent restoration of electricity to other parts of the University College Hospital (UCH).
The students, who gathered outside the entrance gate of UCH with placards, shut down access to the hospital, creating significant traffic congestion. The protestors demanded immediate restoration of power to their hostels, which have been without electricity for 105 days.
“Enough is enough,” read one placard, while others carried messages like “We have been in darkness for the past 105 days” and “After paying so much in tuition fees, we are still being subjected to hardship.” Many students expressed frustration over the lack of basic amenities like electricity and water, essential for their studies and well-being.
The protest follows a tripartite meeting between IBEDC, UCH management, and the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, which resulted in a commitment to restore power to UCH within 24 to 48 hours. While the clinical areas of UCH received electricity on Wednesday, the students’ halls of residence remained in the dark, sparking outrage.
Comrade Aweda Bolaji, President of the University of Ibadan Student Union, expressed his disappointment, stating that the Minister had promised power would be restored to the entire UCH, including the students’ hostels. “We warned them that if there is light in UCH and no light in our hostels, we will shut down UCH,” Bolaji said. “We will remain here until our electricity is restored.”
The students allowed emergency vehicles access but insisted they would continue their protest until the situation was resolved.
Vice President of the UI Medical Students Association, Meliat Adegoke, described the situation as unjust, noting that the same students who protested for UCH’s power restoration were now denied electricity in their own accommodation.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Student Affairs, Comrade Victor Olojede, also voiced support for the students, calling on the federal government to intervene and ensure electricity was restored to the hostels.
In response, IBEDC confirmed that the clinical areas had been reconnected within the promised 48-hour period but stated that it was awaiting further directives from UCH management for the reconnection of the remaining sections.
The students remain steadfast, with their protest continuing until they see a resolution. They have demanded the government and relevant authorities take immediate action to address the issue and restore their basic rights as students.
