Since the early hours of Monday, students across the University of Ibadan campus have been grappling with a total blackout that has disrupted daily living and basic amenities in hostels.
The disruption began after a heavy downpour on Sunday night. Power, which had been momentarily restored around midnight, went off again by 4 a.m. on Monday and has not been restored across most halls and residential areas since then.
Faults from IBEDC and Internal Complications
Initial reports from the Student Union Intelligence Unit indicated that the blackout stemmed from faults with the electricity lines supplying power to campus, caused by the downpour. While repair efforts began almost immediately, the situation has lingered due to a combination of external and internal faults.
A series of messages from the Students’ Union, citing information from the House Secretary and the Intelligence Unit, offered conflicting updates throughout Monday and Tuesday, raising and dashing hopes in quick succession.
One of the first statements read: “Electricity updatePlease be informed that there is a fault with the lines supplying power to campus due to the rain last night. Also, some areas are with faults peculiar to them. These faults have been attended to, and power is expected to be restored this night. We understand the inconvenience this may have caused you.Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.— Students’ Union Intelligence Unit”
Not long after, another message followed, indicating that some halls might not get power that night after all: “Electric updateElectricity will be restored to campus tonight.However, some areas like AWO, ITH, CMF, AOO, and CBN are tentative for this night. Repairs will continue tomorrow. Thanks for your patience 🙏— Students’ Union Intelligence Unit”
A few hours later, this hopeful tone was replaced by a more definitive statement of disappointment “Electric update‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️Please be informed that there won’t be electricity supply to campus tonight.The fault from IBEDC wasn’t completed today. However, the fault will be fully rectified early tomorrow.Thanks for your patience— Students’ Union Intelligence Unit”
By Tuesday morning, another update was sent out, assuring students once again that repair work was still ongoing and electricity would be restored soon. Yet, the delays and repeated postponements have deepened students’ frustration.
Students Voice Out Their Displeasure on Their Status
The absence of electricity has had severe ripple effects, especially on water supply. Halls of residence, both public and private, have been heavily impacted. Queens Hall residents have endured long lines to fetch water, though some relief comes from still having access to water within the hall.
“Getting water to have my bath has been stressful. We have to stay on lines to get water… although it has not been that bad that we have had to go outside Queens,” a resident told our correspondent. She, however, described the situation as terrible and expressed fear over what an extended blackout would mean.
Awo Hall residents have resorted to fetching water from the hall’s well since the outage began. Many fear that if light is not restored soon, the situation could worsen significantly.
Idia Hall students have been seen going as far as the Food Technology area and its environs to get water for bathing and other essential needs. Among the male hostels, Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall (Zik) appears to be the most affected. Some students have had to go all the way to Jaja Hall, Staff Quarters, and even Indy Hall to fetch water. One resident, Daniel, shared, “It’s terrible. For me to make it to class by 8 a.m., I had to take my roommate’s water. I’m sure there’ll be issues when I get back.”
Residents of Bello Hall are in a similar state, with some heading to Mellanby Hall to get water. Kuti and Tedder Halls have been relatively better off, as their residents have not had to leave their halls in search of water—yet. A resident of Tedder hall even stated that “The water issue is difficult but the executives try their best to use a generator to pump a couple of tanks. It’s sometimes not enough though cause the whole hostel would be sharing 2 or 4 tanks”
Private Hostels: Standby Generators, Dry Tanks, and No Hope
Residents of private hostels such as AOO, CBN, CMF, ITH, Talent, and St. Anne’s have not had light for more than 96 hours since the initial blackout on Friday afternoon. Some hostels are relying on standby generators to pump water and charge devices. A resident in CBN revealed that only one block currently has access to running water, and once that tank runs dry, they would have no alternative, as they do not have a backup power source. Many of these residents now say they have no hope of electricity restoration anytime soon.
Charging Devices: Every Man for Himself
Just like a John, a resident from Tedder hall stated, “For the charging, I don’t know but I think everyone fends for themselves how they can”, the blackout has also made charging electronic devices a herculean task. Students have had to seek out solar-powered outlets wherever they can find them. While the Student Union has directed students to the SRC Chamber at the SUB to charge devices, the facility cannot be taken as an alternative to a stress free charging of students’ devices. As a result, students have been seen charging at various alternative locations, their hostels (where solar is available like Awo hall), faculty buildings, departments, the Eco-Friendly Center, Access Bank, and any other place with working solar installations.
