Students of the University of Ibadan (UI) have staged a peaceful protest against the ongoing 82-day power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), the country’s first teaching hospital, demanding an immediate resolution to the crisis. The students, who rely on the hospital for practical training and healthcare services, expressed concern over the prolonged disruption, which they claim is due to unpaid electricity bills.
The protest, which took place on the university campus and outside the hospital premises, highlights the severe impact the power outage is having on both patient care and academic activities. The hospital, a vital resource for both students and the general public, has faced challenges in maintaining essential services such as lighting, refrigeration for medical supplies, and powering critical medical equipment.
“We, as students of the University of Ibadan, are deeply concerned about the ongoing power outage at UCH. It’s affecting not just our academic progress but also the quality of healthcare patients are receiving. We are calling for urgent government intervention to resolve the outstanding power bills and restore normalcy,” said a representative of the protesting students.
UCH, which serves as a training ground for medical and other health-related students from UI, has long been a cornerstone of medical education in Nigeria. However, the continuous power disruption is now threatening to undermine its reputation and operational capacity.
The students’ protest is focused on calling attention to the larger issue of infrastructural neglect and the failure of the relevant authorities to address the financial challenges faced by the institution. They are demanding that both the university and hospital management, along with the federal government, take immediate action to clear the outstanding electricity bills, restore power, and ensure that the hospital’s services are not further disrupted.