Medical students from the University of Ibadan (UI) took to the streets of Ibadan on Wednesday to protest an 82-day power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), where they undergo training. The peaceful demonstration, led by the President of the Students’ Union, Bolaji Aweda, called attention to the impact of the power crisis on their education and healthcare delivery at the facility.
The outage, which began in November 2023, is linked to unpaid electricity bills owed to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). Reports indicate that UCH’s power supply was initially disconnected in March 2024 over similar debts, but no sustainable resolution has been reached.
Speaking during the protest, Aweda expressed the frustration of the students, highlighting the adverse effects of the blackout on academic activities and hospital operations. “For 82 days, there has been no light at UCH because of debts owed to IBEDC. This situation has crippled our studies and services at the hospital,” he said.
The protest saw students carrying placards with messages such as “Restore Power, Save Lives” and “Our Education Matters.” They demanded urgent intervention from the hospital’s management and the federal government to resolve the debt crisis and restore electricity.
The power outage has not only disrupted the students’ academic schedules but also hindered critical medical services at the hospital, raising concerns over the quality of patient care. Sources within UCH disclosed that alternative power sources like generators have become overstretched, leaving several departments unable to function optimally.
As the protest unfolded, many in the community echoed the students’ grievances, urging the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize the resolution of UCH’s electricity challenges.
The students have vowed to continue their peaceful demonstrations until their demands are met, emphasizing the urgency of restoring power to prevent further setbacks in their education and hospital services.
