In a dramatic demonstration of frustration, students from the University of Ibadan (UI) took to the streets on Wednesday to protest an 82-day power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The prolonged blackout, attributed to unpaid electricity bills, has plunged Nigeria’s premier teaching hospital into darkness, disrupting critical medical training and patient care.
Leading the protest, Bolaji Aweda, President of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union (UISU), highlighted the devastating impact of the outage. “For over two months, both students and healthcare workers have struggled to cope without electricity. Laboratories remain non-functional, surgeries are delayed, and the hospital’s operations are at a standstill,” Aweda lamented.
The power outage began in March 2024, following the disconnection of electricity services by the supplying company due to unpaid bills. Despite repeated appeals and a seven-day ultimatum issued by the UISU to the federal government in December, the situation remains unresolved.
A Hospital in Crisis
Founded in 1957, UCH is Nigeria’s first teaching hospital, revered for its pioneering role in medical education and healthcare delivery. However, recent years have seen the institution grappling with financial instability. According to hospital sources, the current blackout is not an isolated incident; UCH faced a similar power cut in November 2023, also due to unpaid bills.
Medical students, who rely on the hospital for hands-on training, have been disproportionately affected. “We are expected to perform clinical rotations and learn practical skills, but how can we do this in darkness?” asked a visibly upset medical student, who preferred anonymity.
The lack of power has also affected patient care, with many surgeries postponed and essential diagnostic equipment rendered unusable. Families of patients have resorted to renting private generators to power critical medical devices, further exacerbating their financial burden.
A Call for Accountability
The protesting students have directed their anger at both UCH management and the federal government, accusing them of negligence. “This is a clear failure of leadership. How can a hospital of UCH’s stature be unable to pay its bills?” Aweda questioned during the protest.
Placards with messages such as “Restore UCH’s Power Now” and “Our Education and Lives Matter” were held high as students marched through the streets of Ibadan.
The Students’ Union has called for an immediate resolution to the crisis, urging the federal government to intervene. They argue that the situation underscores broader issues of underfunding in Nigeria’s health and education sectors.
Federal Government’s Silence
The federal government has yet to respond to the students’ demands, fueling further anger. In December, the UISU issued a statement warning of nationwide protests if the issue persisted. “Our patience is running out. If the government continues to ignore us, we will escalate our actions,” said Aweda.
A History of Neglect
This crisis sheds light on a recurring problem in Nigeria’s public institutions. Chronic underfunding has left many hospitals, schools, and universities unable to meet their basic operational needs.
UCH’s financial struggles mirror those of other teaching hospitals across the country. In 2023, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) declared a nationwide strike to protest unpaid salaries and poor working conditions. The government’s failure to adequately fund healthcare has also led to a mass exodus of Nigerian doctors seeking better opportunities abroad.
The UISU has threatened to stage a sit-in at UCH if their demands are not met. “We are prepared to occupy this hospital until the lights come back on,” Aweda declared.
