News & Politics
Prolonged Power Outage Paralyzes Activities in Ibadan
Socio-economic activities in parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, were disrupted on Wednesday, 22nd January 2025 as students of the University of Ibadan staged a protest against an 82-day power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The protest stemmed from a standoff between the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) […]
By
Alex Omenye
2 weeks ago
Socio-economic activities in parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, were disrupted on Wednesday, 22nd January 2025 as students of the University of Ibadan staged a protest against an 82-day power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
The protest stemmed from a standoff between the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and UCH over unpaid electricity bills, which led to the disconnection of power supply to the teaching hospital affecting residents and businesses reliant on the hospital’s services.
In a peaceful demonstration, students marched through major roads, including the UCH main gate, Total Garden, and the State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with messages such as “Restore Our Electricity, We Are Suffering.” The protest caused traffic gridlock and panic among motorists.
The President of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union Government (SUG), Bolaji Aweda, highlighted the toll of the blackout on students, particularly those residing in Alexander Brown Hall and Ayodele Falase Postgraduate Hall. “For 82 days, there has been no light at UCH, due to the inability of UCH to pay its electricity bill to IBEDC,” he said. Aweda emphasized that the lack of power has led to water shortages, negatively impacting students’ health and studies.
At the State Secretariat, the students submitted a letter to Governor Seyi Makinde, urging intervention. Addressing the protesters, the governor’s Executive Assistant on Security, Sunday Odukoya, commended their peaceful conduct and assured them that their grievances would be relayed to the governor.
The demonstration follows a similar protest by patients of the hospital in November 2024, who expressed outrage over the dire consequences of the blackout on their medical treatment and overall care.
In the November protest, patients, some of whom rely on life-support equipment and specialized treatments, complained about the hospital’s inability to operate critical medical facilities due to the power outage. Essential units like the dialysis center, intensive care unit (ICU), and operating theaters were severely affected, forcing patients to seek alternative healthcare at private facilities at much higher costs. Several patients also reported delays in receiving urgent medical attention and life-saving procedures due to the power crisis.
The prolonged power outage has had socio-economic implications, disrupting hospital services, affecting education, and straining local businesses reliant on UCH’s operations.
The blackout has severely disrupted hospital services, leaving essential units like the operating theaters, intensive care units, and diagnostic labs struggling to function. Outpatient services have been hampered, leading to delays in routine medical check-ups and treatments, while inpatients face inadequate care due to the lack of power for essential medical equipment, such as ventilators and dialysis machines.
Education has also been affected, particularly for students of the University of Ibadan’s College of Medicine, many of whom reside on the hospital campus in Alexander Brown Hall and Ayodele Falase Postgraduate Hall. The lack of electricity has disrupted their academic activities, as they cannot access electricity to study, charge devices, or conduct research. Additionally, the blackout has resulted in water shortages, further compounding the difficulties faced by students and staff alike.
The power outage has also placed a heavy strain on local businesses that rely on UCH’s operations. Pharmacies, diagnostic centers, food vendors, and transportation services that cater to hospital staff, students, and patients have reported losses. Private businesses around UCH that depend on the hospital’s bustling activity have experienced reduced patronage, threatening their financial stability.
Security personnel, including the Nigeria Police, Army, and Civil Defense Corps, ensured order during the protest.