By Mujeeb Rauf

The Concerned Students Movement (CSM) has commended the May 6 protest embarked upon by students of the University of Ibadan over persistent electricity and water supply challenges on campus.

This was disclosed in a press statement jointly signed by the CSM Coordinator, Feranmi Gabriel, and the Secretary, Emmanuel Omolaye, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

“First, we commend the courage, solidarity and determination of the hundreds of students who came out to demand an end to the persistent electricity and water crises that have continued to worsen students’ living conditions at the University of Ibadan,” the statement read.

The group described the protest as “an important moment in the history of student struggle and collective resistance” within the university community.

According to the movement, the demonstration was both inevitable and long overdue, considering the worsening welfare conditions students have endured for months.

“For months, students endured worsening living conditions while the university management maintained a deliberate silence. On its part, the Students’ Union leadership adopted a defensive posture towards the systemic inadequacies the university has become deeply enmeshed in,” it stated.

The group highlighted prolonged blackouts and water shortages in several halls of residence, including Mellanby and Tedder Halls, while criticising the management’s failure to prioritise students’ welfare.

CSM also linked the May 6 protest to previous student demonstrations against fee hikes and deteriorating welfare conditions on campus.

“It is worth noting that the May 6th demonstration was only a part of a chain of demonstrations students have had to embark on to press their demands in recent times.”

It recalled the protest involving the UI3 in May 2024, as well as demonstrations in July 2025 following proposed electricity rationing across halls of residence.

“The first was the anti-fee UI protest by the UI3 in May 2024. In July 2024, the university management proposed electricity rationing across halls of residence, prompting students to protest on July 16 and 17 against the worsening welfare conditions on campus.” 

“Similarly, in February 2025, UI medical students at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, endured a 100-day blackout before sustained agitation eventually led to the restoration of electricity.”

According to the group, the repeated incidents reveal a consistent failure by the university management to prioritise students’ welfare and basic living conditions.

CSM also stressed the importance of proper coordination during student demonstrations, insisting that students must independently organise and direct protest actions.

“ It is a fact that cannot be overemphasised that coordination is what sets up a demonstration for success. In every student demonstration, students must ensure, by all means, that the job of coordination must be effectively done by students themselves, not members of the management.”

“We have observed with concern the interference of the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Professor Demola Lewis during the protest. Attempts by management representatives to distract or influence the course of an independent students’ movement amount to an encroachment on students’ democratic expression, and must be resisted. We condemn in its totality the efforts by the management to encroach on students’ expression,” CSM wrote.

It added that students are central stakeholders in the university community  while encouraging active participation on matters affecting their welfare and existence on campus. 

“One important lesson from the May 6 protest is that whenever protest actions are called, students are expected not only to participate massively, but also to actively coordinate and take ownership of the process themselves.”

It further urged students to remain steadfast and prepared to reconvene whenever necessary to demand accountability from the university management.

“The price we pay for freedom is eternal vigilance. Students must be prepared to reconvene in congress and collectively determine the next line of action whenever the management fails to fulfil its promises and commitments,” the statement noted.

Image Credit: Official CSM X Page