University of Ibadan Students Meet with Management Amidst Protests Over Electricity Supply

The University of Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria has been plagued by a series of protests over the past two days, with students demanding answers from the management. On Wednesday, the management finally met with the students to address their concerns.

The protests, which were sparked by the introduction of a 10-hour daily electricity supply in the campus, had seen students taking to the streets, chanting slogans and holding placards with demands for better living conditions, adequate security, and an end to what they call “exploitative” practices by the university authorities.

Led by the President of the Students’ Union, Mr Bolaji Aweda, the students presented a list of grievances to the management, including the rationing of electricity, hike in fees, sale of handouts, compulsory use of GES textbooks, poor welfare conditions, inadequate attention from the University Health Services, victimization of students who protested the hike in fees, and inadequate security.

In response, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Peter Olapegba, explained that the new electricity policy was necessary due to the monthly electricity bill the university pays to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC. He also acknowledged that security was a national problem and that the university was doing its best to secure the lives and property of students and staff on campus.

Professor Olapegba appealed to the students to cooperate with the management to make the campus conducive for all and sundry. He assured that the university would do its best to address the issues raised within its available resources.

The students were commended for keeping their protest peaceful and not allowing hoodlums to hijack the movement. The meeting between the students and management marks a step towards resolving the outstanding issues and finding a lasting solution to the protests.

The University of Ibadan has a long history of student activism and protests, with students often speaking out against what they see as poor governance and inadequate facilities. With this latest development, it remains to be seen whether the university will be able to address the concerns of its students and bring an end to the protests.