UI students protest electricity rationing, tuition hike

The students of the University of Ibadan have staged a protest to express their grievances over the schedule of 10 hours of electricity supply on campus and a hike in tuition.

The protest started in the late hours of Tuesday and has continued on Wednesday with the students baring placards at the front of the university gate.

On Tuesday, an internal memo was addressed to the Chief Engineer (Electrical) by the Director of the Works and Maintenance Department, O.A Adetolu, that electricity should be rationed and made available to students for 10 hours daily.

The memo reads, “Effective immediately; the vice chancellor has approved a 10-hour daily electricity supply on campus as follows. Day time: 8 am – 2 pm, Night time 10 pm – 2 am. Kindly adhere to the approved schedule.”

The students’ union president, Aweda Bolaji, in a voice clip obtained by our correspondent, stated that the recent policies by the management were not satisfactory and an inconsiderate action.

He said,” The injustice that has been melted upon us as students of the University of Ibadan is getting too much. The university cannot ration electricity to students in this 21st century. On this basis, if you are a student, join students massively as we demonstrate peacefully against the injustice that is being melted by both the miserable government and unconscionable management.”

Bolaji in a statement also sought the reversal of the new electricity schedule and tuition increment.

“There will be neither lecture nor transportation within the school premises on the 17th of July, 2024. The Mass action will continue on July 17 starting from 5 am. The Union officials will make available all union resources, including the Aluta Jet and Public Address System, and the Student Union officials must be present to join the mobilization effort towards this.

“The School authority in association with maintenance must withdraw the memo on electricity rationing, dated 16th of July, 2024, and in addition, there must be constant power supply within the school effective immediately.

“There must be a total reversal of all fees and not a reduction. Those who have paid must be refunded The Students’ Union condemns the ongoing victimization of three Students of the University of lbadan; Aduwo Ayodele, Olamide Gbadegesin and Nice Linus, who embarked on a peaceful protest on the 13th of May 2024 and such, call for an end to the victimization,” Bolaji said.