UI Management Meets with Students Amid Protests Over Electricity and Other Issues
The University of Ibadan's management met with student representatives to address recent protests over the introduction of a 10-hour daily electricity supply on campus.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The University of Ibadan in Oyo State has engaged in a crucial dialogue with its student body following a series of protests that erupted over the past two days.The protests were sparked by the university's recent policy to limit daily electricity supply to 10 hours on campus, which students found unacceptable. The meeting saw the university's management and the Students’ Union, led by President Bolaji Aweda, come together on Wednesday to address these concerns.
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During the meeting, Aweda presented a comprehensive list of grievances on behalf of the students. These included rationing of electricity on campus, increase in fees, mandatory purchase of handouts and GES textbooks, poor welfare conditions, inadequate medical attention at the University Health Services (UHS), victimization of students who previously protested fee hikes, and insufficient security measures for students on campus.
Professor Peter Olapegba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), represented the university's management at the meeting. He explained that the electricity rationing was necessitated by the high monthly bills from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
Addressing the broader security concerns, Olapegba acknowledged that security issues were a national challenge. He assured the students that the university was doing its utmost to ensure the safety of both students and staff.
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Olapegba appealed for student cooperation to foster a conducive environment on campus and promised that the management would address the issues raised to the best of its abilities within the available resources.
The university management commended the students for maintaining their protests within the campus grounds and for preventing external elements from hijacking the demonstrations.
By engaging in open dialogue and addressing these pressing issues, the University of Ibadan aims to restore normalcy and enhance the living and learning conditions for its students.
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