University Of Ibadan Students Protest Against 10-Hour Electricity, Tuition Hikes

There is an ongoing protest inside the premier University. It was gathered that the management of the institution has increased tuition fee twice in two sessions since Tinubu came into steering the affairs of the nation.

All efforts to meet with any member of the management proved abortive as all doors to the Vice Chancellery Building were under key and lock.

Students were audibly heard chanting various protest songs. Entrance to the main gate was blocked by the students, who carried placards with different messages.

UI Students Protest Over Power Supply Rationing Amid Rising Fee, Halt Movement

The students of the University of Ibadan on Wednesday through a peaceful protest voiced their frustration over a newly implemented policy that limits campus electricity supply to just 10 hours a day.

The peaceful protest halted all vehicular movements and transportation systems within the campus.

The transportation system within the campus was paralysed as a result of the ongoing protest embarked upon by the students.

The institution has introduced a 10-hour daily electricity supply with effect from (Tuesday). The introduction of the new policy was contained in a memo issued by the Department of Works and Maintenance of the Institution.

The policy, effective from July 16, 2024, was announced via a memo from the university’s Department of Works and Maintenance, detailing supply hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Students argue that the reduced electricity hours are inadequate for their academic needs, particularly given the absence of alternative power sources on campus.

The students called on the university administration to reconsider the policy, citing the impact on their studies, such as charging laptops , phones and completing assignments.

The student body is also pressing for a reversal of recent tuition hikes, asserting that rising costs should not come alongside restricted access to essential services like electricity.

One anonymous student expressed concern about the financial burden of self-funding their education while facing these limitations.

“I’m sponsoring myself to school, I pay N283,000 just for school fees in a federal school,how do they want me to survive,” he lamented.

The students urged the university officials to invest in better infrastructure and renewable energy solutions to provide a more reliable power supply.

The students before the protest instructed the cab operators and tricyclists in the institution to stop their operation. They also blocked the main entrance of the institution as a result of the protest in order to prevent any vehicle from entering or going out of the institution.

The development rendered students, lecturers, and other stakeholders within the campus stranded. Though the pedestrian gate at the institution was opened.

The memo, which was dated 16th July 2024, was signed by the Director of Works, Engineer O.A. Adetolu. Adetolu, in the memo, noted that the Vice Chancellor of the institution has approved a 10-hour daily electricity supply on the campus.

The electricity supply for the day will be supplied between 08.am and 02.0m. The supply for the nighttime will be available between 10 pm and 02.am.

The memo tasked the concerned officers to adhere strictly to the new policy.

The letter reads, “Effective immediately, the Vice-Chancellor has approved 10-hour daily electricity supply on Campus as follows: 1. Day Time: 08 a.m. 02 p.m. (6 hours) 2. Night Time: 10 p.m. 02 a.m. (4 hours) Kindly adhere strictly to the approved schedule. Thank you."

Independent.ng