By Deborah Idowu
Hours after students of the University of Ibadan staged a protest over the prolonged lack of electricity and water supply on campus, the university management has committed to several measures aimed at addressing pressing welfare concerns.
The resolutions followed a meeting between the Students’ Union leadership, the Council of Faculty Presidents, Council of Hall Chairpersons, the Speaker of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Congress representatives, and the Vice-Chancellor after an Emergency Congress convened at the Students’ Union Building (SUB).
According to a statement released by the Union, jointly signed by the Students’ Union President, Temidayo S. Adeboye and the General Secretary, Joshua O. Shontan, management committed to immediate interventions to improve electricity supply on campus.
“Necessary measures are being implemented to ensure electricity supply on campus is improved, effective from today,” the statement read.
The university administration also directed the immediate reopening of the University Health Service (UHS), which had been affected by the ongoing NASU and SSANU strike, in a move aimed at restoring access to medical services for students.
On the issue of cooking gas usage in halls of residence, management reportedly assured students that preparations were being finalised ahead of the release of an official approval memorandum within two weeks.
“All preparations for the use of cooking gas in halls of residence are being finalised, with a memorandum of approval to be released by the management after two weeks,” the Union stated.
The commitments came after a day marked by protests across campus, as students moved through faculties chanting “No water, no class” and “No light, no class,” while demanding urgent intervention over deteriorating welfare conditions.
Lectures in several faculties were interrupted as protesting students called on others to leave classrooms in solidarity. The demonstration later culminated in an Emergency Congress where students deliberated on whether academic activities should continue under the prevailing conditions.
Following discussions with management, the Students’Union urged students to resume academic activities, citing what it described as “concrete commitments” and progress toward restoring essential services on campus.
“While we return to our lecture halls, the Union leadership will continue further negotiations with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the full restoration of normalcy and the permanent resolution of all outstanding issues,” the statement added.
The Union also commended students for their participation in the protest and Congress, assuring them that the leadership would remain vigilant to ensure management fulfils its commitments.
