Students from the University of Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious universities, are staging a protest against their institution’s rationing of electricity.
Reports has revealed that the protest started at 11pm on Tuesday and resumed by 5:30am on Wednesday.
An internal memo from the University of Ibadan’s authorities sparked a furious reaction among students as it proposed a 10-hour power supply rationing scheme. With a directive coming directly from the Vice Chancellor’s office, the Works and Maintenance Department was instructed to execute this directive, leaving students in a state of shock, disbelief, and indignation.
The memo became the catalyst for a passionate, determined protest, as students mobilized to challenge the university’s decision and assert their right to a basic, reliable standard of living on campus.
The internal memo dated July 16th, 2024, signed by Engr. O. A. Adetolu, Director of Works, and addressed to the Chief Engineer, revealed a shocking new policy implemented by the University of Ibadan’s Vice Chancellor.
In the memo, the Director of Works outlined the details of the newly imposed power rationing schedule. The controversial plan stipulated a meager 10 hours of electricity provision to students, split into two sessions: a six-hour stretch between 8am and 2pm during the day, and a four-hour interval from 10pm to 2am at night. This disruptive new policy prompted an outcry from students.
The management of the University on Tuesday blamed the power supply rationing on campus on the electricity crisis in Nigeria.
According to the University management, there is currently a severe energy crisis on a national scale and this has affected supply from the national grid to the institution.
The management said that the daily power supply from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has dropped to about 10-12 hours.
The university said, “The daily power availability of 18-22 hours from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has dropped to about 10-12 hours.”
“It is pertinent to note that the University has been alive to its responsibility by augmenting whatever level of supply received from the national grid through local power generation, although at rising costs, especially fuel, among other power generation inputs.
“The supply from the University Power Station will augment grid supply between 10.00a.m- 2.00p.m and 11.00p.m – 6.00a.m.”
