The University College Hospital Ibadan has been plunged into darkness as its labour unions launched a five-day warning strike over alleged internal electricity rationing by management. The Council of UCH Union Leaders, a coalition of 11 unions, initiated the action to highlight the ongoing power crisis, which they say has disrupted service delivery, endangered patients, and exposed staff to operational hazards.
In a statement signed by CUUL co-chairmen, Comrade Oladayo Olabampe and Dr Uthman Adedeji, the unions claimed that although power supply was restored by Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company in February, hospital management continued to ration electricity across clinical and residential areas. The rationing has reportedly led to cancelled surgeries, interrupted laboratory services, lost medications and vaccines, and significant revenue losses for the hospital.
“The situation is unacceptable. UCH is losing millions of naira daily in internally generated revenue. A cost-cutting measure has become a revenue-destroying policy. If this continues, the financial survival of UCH is at serious risk,” the statement read.
Union leaders also raised alarms about the broader safety implications, citing severe water shortages, increased risk of hospital-acquired infections, surgeries conducted under inadequate lighting, and laboratories operating without functional fume cupboards. They demanded immediate cessation of power rationing, restoration of water supply, repair of faulty prepaid meters, and reversal of arbitrary rent increases in staff quarters.
The strike has triggered concerns about patient care, medical training, and hospital operations, with many cases expected to be referred to other facilities. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Power, has been urged to intervene urgently to resolve the crisis and prevent further disruption.
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