Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, South-West Zone D, on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo, condemning what they described as poor electricity supply affecting campuses and communities across the region.
The protest, which drew scores of students and youth groups, took place at the popular November 27 Bridge, where participants gathered with placards to express their frustration. Some of the messages displayed read, “No electricity increment tariff,” “Increase power output,” and “Restore our electricity infrastructure.”
The demonstrators said the poor power supply has made life difficult for students, especially those in tertiary institutions who depend on electricity for reading, research, and other academic activities.
Speaking during the protest, the South-West Coordinator of NANS, Josiah Adeyemo, said the association could no longer remain silent in the face of worsening electricity challenges.
“I am here with members of our association and allied student bodies to express our dissatisfaction with the current electricity crisis in the country,” Adeyemo said. “This situation has seriously affected academic activities on our campuses and the daily lives of students.”
He acknowledged efforts by the government to stabilise the country but stressed that access to electricity remains a basic necessity that must not be ignored.
“Electricity is one of the most important services any government can provide. Without it, students cannot study properly, businesses cannot grow, and the economy cannot function effectively,” he added.
The protest began at Oke Baale in Osogbo, from where the students marched through Station Road, chanting solidarity songs and calling on authorities to act quickly. The procession later moved toward the regional office of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company in Osun State.
Security was tight around the IBEDC office, as heavily armed operatives were deployed to maintain order and prevent any breakdown of law and order. Despite the heavy presence of security personnel, the protest remained peaceful, with no reports of violence.
At the IBEDC office, the protesters submitted their demands, calling for immediate improvement in electricity supply to campuses and surrounding communities. They also issued a seven-day ultimatum to the company to address their concerns.
Specifically, the students demanded that affected communities be restored to Band A electricity classification, which guarantees longer hours of power supply. They warned that failure to meet this demand within the given timeframe could lead to further action.
“We are giving IBEDC and relevant authorities seven days to respond to our demands,” Adeyemo said. “If nothing is done, we will organise another mass protest. We will not stop until our voices are heard.”
The issue of electricity supply has remained a major concern in Nigeria for many years. Despite several reforms in the power sector, including the privatisation of electricity distribution companies in 2013, many parts of the country still experience unstable and inadequate power supply.
Distribution companies like IBEDC are responsible for delivering electricity to consumers, but they often face challenges such as poor infrastructure, energy theft, and insufficient power generation from the national grid.
In recent times, the introduction of a band system by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has further shaped electricity distribution. Under this system, customers are grouped into different bands based on the number of hours of electricity they receive daily.
Band A customers are expected to receive the highest number of hours, while those in lower bands receive less. However, many consumers have complained that they do not get the promised hours of supply, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
Students, in particular, have been among the most affected groups. Many rely on electricity to power laptops, charge phones, and access the internet for academic work. Frequent blackouts often force them to seek alternative power sources, such as generators, which can be expensive and unsafe.
Some students who spoke during the protest said they spend a significant part of their income on fuel to run generators, adding to their financial burden.
“We are already dealing with high school fees and living costs,” one protester said. “Now we also have to struggle with electricity. It is too much for us.”
Beyond electricity, Adeyemo also raised concerns about the state of security in the country. He referenced recent bomb explosions in Maiduguri, which reportedly claimed lives and destroyed property.
According to him, the incident highlights the need for improved strategies to address insecurity across Nigeria.
“Our country is facing serious challenges, not just in power but also in security. We need better approaches to protect lives and property,” he said.
The role of student unions like NANS has historically been important in advocating for the rights of students and drawing attention to national issues. Over the years, the association has organised protests on matters ranging from education funding to fuel price increases.
In this case, the focus on electricity highlights how critical power supply is to education and national development.
Efforts by the government to improve electricity generation and distribution have been ongoing. However, progress has been slow, and many Nigerians continue to rely on alternative sources such as generators and solar power.
As the seven-day ultimatum given by NANS begins, attention will be on IBEDC and other relevant authorities to see how they respond to the students’ demands.
For now, the protesters have made it clear that they are ready to continue their agitation if necessary. Their message is simple: reliable electricity is not a luxury but a basic need that must be provided.