The management of the University of Ibadan (UI) in the Oyo State capital says it has no plan to ration electricity within the campus of the institution.
The UI management made this known via a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Joke Akinpelu, on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
The university students had, on Wednesday, July 17, protested against the hike in tuition fees and rationing of electricity within the campus by the authorities.
The protest was sequel to an internal memo signed by the university’s Director of Works, O.A. Adetolu.
The memo dated July 16 quoted the Vice-Chancellor as approving a 10-hour daily electricity supply on the campus.
It stated that there would be electricity supply from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
However, Akinpelu said the memo which sparked the protest was not from the university management, adding that there was no plan to ration electricity.
She noted that the UI management met with the leaders of the students’ union over the protest on Wednesday.
Akinpelu disclosed that the meeting was presided over by the UI Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Peter Olapegba.
Olapegba, who spoke on behalf of the management at the meeting, empathised with the students on their conditions which resulted in the protest.
He, however, explained that the institution’s management was being hampered by inadequate funds.
According to him, the university presently pays over N80 million monthly for electricity, adding that with IBEDC’s plan to move it to Band A, the institution might be paying about N280 million monthly.
Olapegba added that the university was not charging any tuition, but that the hike in charges was in consonance with national economic realities.
He said the issue of hike in charges might be addressed by the UI Governing Council anytime it met.
The DVC reiterated that it was illegal for any lecturer to sell handouts and requested the students to provide evidence of such.
Olapegba, therefore, expressed the university’s commitment to improving the conditions of living of the students, just as he appealed to the students to cooperate with the management to make the campus conducive for all and sundry.
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