Students at the University of Ibadan have taken to the streets in protest against recent administrative decisions, including a tuition hike and a new electricity rationing policy. The protests began late Tuesday, July 16, and have continued into Wednesday, with students gathering at the university gates carrying placards and chanting slogans.
The unrest was sparked by an internal memo issued on Tuesday by the Director of the Works and Maintenance Department, O.A Adetolu, which announced a drastic reduction in campus electricity supply to just 10 hours per day. This decision was met with immediate backlash from students who argued that such rationing was unacceptable, particularly in a modern educational institution.
Aweda Bolaji, the president of the students’ union, strongly criticized the university management for what he termed “injustice and inconsiderate actions.” In a statement addressing the student body, Bolaji expressed outrage over the tuition hike and demanded the immediate reversal of both the electricity rationing policy and the fee increase.
“The injustice being meted out to us as students of the University of Ibadan is intolerable. Rationing electricity in the 21st century is archaic and unacceptable. We call on all students to join us in peaceful demonstration against these injustices perpetrated by both the government and the university management,” Bolaji urged.
Additionally, the students’ union demanded the withdrawal of the electricity rationing memo and insisted on uninterrupted power supply within the campus premises. They also called for a complete rollback of the tuition fee hike, with refunds issued to those who had already paid the increased fees.
Furthermore, Bolaji condemned what he described as the victimization of three students—Aduwo Ayodele, Olamide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus—who had participated in a peaceful protest on May 13, 2024. The students’ union called for an immediate end to any punitive actions against these individuals.
As tensions escalate, university authorities are yet to issue a formal response to the students’ demands. The protests remain peaceful but determined, with students vowing to continue their demonstrations until their grievances are addressed satisfactorily.
The University of Ibadan, established in 1948, is Nigeria’s oldest university and has a long history of student activism and engagement in national issues. The current protests highlight ongoing challenges faced by Nigerian universities in maintaining affordable and accessible education amid economic pressures and infrastructure deficits.
