The University of Ibadan’s Student Union staged a peaceful demonstration today, decrying the deteriorating state of the University College Hospital (UCH) after an 80-day power outage crippled the institution. This follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to address the situation.
Through a statement shared on social media, the Student Union highlighted the dire consequences of the prolonged blackout, which has severely impacted the hospital’s operations and the living conditions of student doctors. In an open letter to the President, they detailed the deplorable state of UCH and its facilities, as well as the broader healthcare challenges facing Nigeria.
The students emphasized that the power crisis has rendered critical departments in the hospital almost non-functional, leaving patients and medical personnel in distress. They also raised concerns about the chronic shortage of doctors, attributing the issue to insufficient government intervention in improving medical education and healthcare infrastructure.
The Student Union linked the crisis to the power sector reforms introduced in April 2024 by the Ministry of Power, which led to a steep hike in electricity costs. They described the policy as “anti-people,” arguing that it disproportionately affects the poor while crippling essential services like healthcare.
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The union stressed that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and called on the Federal Government to urgently address the power crisis and invest in the country’s healthcare system. “UCH serves millions of Nigerians, and its current state is a reflection of the neglect plaguing our healthcare institutions nationwide,” the letter read.
Signed by Student Union President Aweda Bolaji and General Secretary Doalpo Japteh Ogund, the letter reiterated the students’ commitment to advocating for affordable and quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
The protest has sparked widespread attention, with many calling on the government to prioritize the rehabilitation of UCH and similar institutions to restore confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
