The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has reconnected the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, after more than 100 days of power outage.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, the Chairman of the UCH Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), Mr. Oladayo Olabampe, disclosed the reconnection to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
UCH had been without electricity since October 26, 2024, when IBEDC disconnected the hospital due to accumulated debts.
The prolonged outage led to various reactions, including peaceful protests by students of the College of Medicine.
Following a meeting on Monday between the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and IBEDC management at UCH, a resolution was reached to restore electricity within 24 to 48 hours.
Olabampe confirmed that power was restored around 6 p.m. on Wednesday. However, he noted that only the hospital’s service areas were reconnected, leaving residential quarters and commercial areas, including banks and schools, in darkness.
“Even though the residential areas use prepaid meters, they were still disconnected,” Olabampe said. “While we agree that service areas are crucial, those providing the services are equally important. We have endured months of darkness, and this situation remains concerning.”
UCH spokesperson, Mrs. Funmi Adetuyibi, also confirmed that electricity had been restored to the hospital’s clinical sections.
According to NAN, part of the conditions set by Minister Adelabu during the meeting allowed for the disconnection of residential and commercial areas, as well as the College of Medicine, citing their significant contribution to the hospital’s high energy costs.