Naija247news reports that students of the University of Ibadan (UI) have staged a peaceful protest over a prolonged power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, which has disrupted academic and medical activities for weeks. The protest, which took place on Monday, saw students demanding immediate intervention from the federal government to resolve the electricity crisis affecting the institution.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to Naija247news, the students, led by the Students’ Union Government (SUG), marched to the hospital premises and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) office, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Light Up UCH” and “No Power, No Future.” The protesters lamented that the blackout has severely impacted their studies and compromised healthcare services at the hospital, which serves as a teaching facility for medical students.
Naija247news gathered that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has pledged swift action to address the issue. In a statement released on Tuesday, Adelabu expressed concern over the situation and assured that the federal government is working with IBEDC to restore power to UCH and its environs. “We are aware of the challenges faced by the students and patients at UCH. Rest assured, we are taking immediate steps to resolve the power outage and prevent future occurrences,” the minister stated.
Naija247news understands that the power outage, which has persisted for over three weeks, has forced the hospital to rely on generators, leading to increased operational costs and frequent service disruptions. A source within UCH, who spoke to Naija247news on condition of anonymity, revealed that the situation has affected critical medical procedures and forced some patients to seek care elsewhere. “The lack of electricity is putting lives at risk. We need a permanent solution to this problem,” the source said.
According to Naija247news, the protest has drawn attention to the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector, including inadequate infrastructure and poor service delivery. Students and staff at UCH have called for long-term solutions, such as the installation of solar power systems, to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. “We cannot continue like this. The government must invest in sustainable energy solutions to prevent future outages,” said Tunde Olawale, a final-year medical student.
Naija247news reports that the protest has sparked a wave of solidarity on social media, with Nigerians using hashtags like #LightUpUCH and #SaveOurHospital to demand action. Many have praised the students for speaking out and holding the government accountable.
As the federal government moves to address the crisis, Naija247news gathered that the UI students have vowed to continue their advocacy until the power situation at UCH is fully resolved. The protest highlights the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s power sector to ensure reliable electricity supply for critical institutions like UCH.
