By: IndyPress News Desk

Sunday, February 9, 2025, marked the hundredth day of the blackout at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

The three-month-long power outage has been described as unfortunate by affected students, patients, and staff.

Background

The federal hospital’s deteriorating state has ignited widespread outrage among stakeholders.

UCH’s current scrutiny in the public eye stems from its disconnection by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) due to a substantial unpaid debt.

The hospital has been in darkness for approximately three months after IBEDC cut off its power supply, due to UCH’s inability to settle its monthly electricity bill of N80 million as a Band A customer.

As of 2019, the institution’s outstanding debt to IBEDC stood at N3.10 billion. Although N2.91 billion has since been paid, a significant balance of N392 million remains unpaid.

Public Reactions on the 100th Day of Blackout 

An X user, @semiloorepeace_, expressed concern on Monday, “@NigEducation @DrTunjiAlausa I can’t help but empathize with the discomfort all students at UCH are enduring. 100 days of hoping, struggling, and facing darkness is no longer sustainable. The time for action is now. Edakun,” the user wrote.

Another user, @JamesIziren, tweeted, “this is now premium suffering. @abh_parrot.”

Omooba_joshua, another X user, commented,”100 days of hoping for a solution! 100 days of struggle! 100 days of darkness! Yet, the darkness persists. We can only ask— when will it be over? WE ARE CALLING ON ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO IMMEDIATELY ACT AND SAVE THE UCH COMMUNITY FROM DARKNESS. #SaveABH #SaveUCH #DoctorsInDarkness”.

A pro-education student group, the Concerned Students’ Movement on Sunday, 9th of February 2025, condemned the prolonged blackout.

In a statement by its coordinator, Aduwo Ayodele, the group criticized the Tinubu-led Federal Government, highlighting the situation as a failure in the health sector.

“The Concerned Students’ Movement, University of Ibadan, condemns the administrative failure of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government regarding the prolonged state of darkness at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.”

“We also denounce the institutional failure of concerned authorities, such as the Professor Kayode Adebowale-led administration of the University of Ibadan, for its silence and hesitation to engage with students who have been severely affected by the blackout,” the statement read.

“We categorically condemn the dehumanization of staff and patients at UCH due to the withdrawal of electricity, despite its essential nature.”

“The fact that the federal hospital has been in this state for months without a genuine and practicable solution leads us to conclude that the Federal Government—and, by extension, the Oyo State Government—are anti-people and show little regard for the welfare of Nigerians.

“Without electricity, modern healthcare services are severely compromised, putting lives at risk. Life-saving medical equipment, effective patient care, and the smooth operation of healthcare facilities are all in jeopardy. It is, without equivocation, unfortunate that this must be reiterated time and again.”

“As a movement, we strongly urge University of Ibadan students to take a firmer stance on the UCH healthcare crisis.’

Citing the University of Ibadan Students’ Union constitution, the group called on the student community to initiate awareness-driven campaigns to challenge the Federal Government’s negligence.

“We implore the leadership of the Students’ Union to convene an emergency congress, where mass-based student support can be mobilized to pressure the Federal Government into action.”

“We reject the false dichotomy between the blackout at UCH and the inadequate power supply on the main campus. Students must recognize that both are symptoms of a broader systemic failure.”

“We call on staff and labor unions—such as ASUU, NASU, SSANU, NAAT, NLC, TUC, and JAF—to take a decisive stance in pressuring the government. Only a comprehensive and organized mass resistance will bring lasting change,” the statement concluded.