By Gbayesola Samuel 

On the 16th of July, 2024, Students of the University of Ibadan organized a campus -wide protest following a memorandum released by the school authorities announcing a new schedule for the provision of electricity across the campus.

The protest which lasted four hours started at Nnamdi Azikwe Hall about 10:00 pm. This peaceful demonstration took a turn as student residents from other halls of residence joined in solidarity.

What started as a night demonstration marked the beginning of campus-wide protest. As students continued the following morning, Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at around 5:30 am 

VIDEO: UI students protest fee hike

Thousands of students at the University of Ibadan have protested against a hike in school fees and other issues. pic.twitter.com/fDURl20LLl

— NaijaEyes (@naija_eyes) July 17, 2024

Students of the University of Ibadan remained firm on their demonstration against policies they term unfavorable, likewise the delay of the meeting meant to address the concerns raised by the students.

 

FULL CONTEXT: What led to the protest? 

In a special release by the university authorities, the university attributed the power situation to the energy crisis on a national scale.

“It is no longer news that there is, at present, a severe energy crisis on a national scale and this has negatively affected supply from the national grid to the institution.” the statement reads.

According to the management, the power supplied by IBEDC has reduced compared to the usual number of hours.

“The daily power availability of 18-22 hours from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has dropped to about 10-12 hours.”

“It is pertinent to note that the University has been alive to its responsibility by augmenting whatever level of supply received from the national grid through local power generation, although at rising costs, especially fuel, among other power generation inputs,” it added.

The notice added that the supply from the University Power Station is expected to augment grid supply between 10.00a.m- 2.00p.m and 11.00p.m – 6.00a.m.

This decision drew concerns from student residents who described the reduction in power supply and the new supply schedule as unfavorable. Beyond the electricity rationing students also reach a resolution on some concerns raised. These concerns include the victimization of three UI students and reversal of increased fees.

Related: “Reverse Power Supply Schedule”- UI Students Tell Management

Below is a statement from Education Rights Campaign (ERC) University of Ibadan branch following the protest.

 

UI Management Responds After Protest 

Following the meeting held by the University of Ibadan Students’ Union with the University management with regards to concerns raised by students. The management consented to seven resolutions.

These resolutions include: ensuring that no students get victimized; cancellation of the purchase of GES textbooks; prohibition of the sale of handout; restoration of power supply to ABH, a commitment from the UI Vice-Chancellor through the Governing Council to review fees; and the temporary suspension of fee payments until further notice.

While the University meant the demands of the students, that demonstration is a reference point to subsequent protests.

Speaking in retrospect, Ayodele Aduwo, one of the Concerned Students during the protest, noted that the resolution release by the union on July 17, 2024 was a collective effort of concerned students who stepped in when the union was unwilling to do so.

“This resolution was a brainchild of the Concerned Students Movement, alongside other courageous students, who compelled the production of this release. CSM and other students around 2am at Njeoma Road agreed on all of these protest resolutions, typed by students and compelled the unwilling union leadership to put this on letterhead.” he said.

ALSO READ: UI SU Holds Congress, Suspends Lectures Amid SSANU, NASU Strike