By Timothy Babalola 

The Education Rights Campaign, University of Ibadan chapter, has called on students to demand the convening of a Students’ Union congress to deliberate on worsening welfare conditions across campus and discuss possible collective responses.

The call was contained in a press statement signed by the group’s UI branch secretary, Ochi M.D., issued on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

“We equally express our deep concern and disappointment over the university administration’s failure to ensure even a minimal improvement in the living and learning conditions on campus before resumption for the new academic session. 

“Despite the imposition of exorbitant fees on students, welfare conditions across campus have continued to deteriorate daily,” ERC wrote.

According to the group, electricity supply in several halls of residence remains unreliable, citing Mellanby Hall as an example where students reportedly experienced nearly a month of persistent blackout.

The group added that the electricity situation has affected access to water and sanitation facilities across halls of residence.

“Water supply is severely affected, leading to poor sanitation conditions that pose serious health risks. Toilets and bathrooms in many halls are in deplorable states,” the statement noted.

ERC further warned that poor lighting conditions within residential areas could heighten insecurity risks for students.

The group also alleged that the electricity situation has created opportunities for exploitation of fresh students, claiming that some hall executives demanded payments under the pretext of raising funds to purchase generator fuel.

“This situation has created unfortunate opportunities for exploitation, as some hall executives reportedly extort fresh students under the pretext of raising funds to purchase fuel for generators, forcing already financially burdened students to pay more  just to charge their phones and access water.”

According to the statement, such practices increase financial pressure on students already affected by rising fees.

Beyond welfare concerns, ERC described learning conditions as equally troubling, citing overcrowded lecture halls and inadequate infrastructure.

“Lecture halls are grossly inadequate and frequently overcrowded, turning learning spaces into hazardous environments,” the group stated.

The organisation also referenced the recent court judgement nullifying the suspension of three student activists Ayodele Aduwo, Nice Linus, and Mide Gbadegesin describing the decision as a reaffirmation of students’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

According to the statement, the ruling should encourage students to speak out on issues affecting their welfare without fear of victimisation.

ERC called on the university administration to comply fully with the court order by reinstating the affected students without delay.

The group stressed that meaningful improvements in welfare conditions would require collective student action and urged students to mobilise across halls of residence toward compelling the Students’ Union leadership to convene a congress.

“Meaningful change can only be achieved through collective action,” the statement noted.

It added that such a congress would provide an opportunity for students to deliberate on welfare concerns and demand compliance with the reinstatement order.

The group also urged the Students’ Union leadership to demonstrate commitment to defending students’ interests through proactive engagement with ongoing welfare challenges on campus.