The University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, a historical and vital healthcare institution, has found itself in a crisis due to its placement in the costly Band A electricity market, a decision many believe is unfair and harmful.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) are facing criticism for subjecting the hospital to exorbitant electricity bills, with monthly charges soaring to nearly N99 million. This move has sparked outrage among the hospital’s staff and patients, who recently staged protests after enduring 17 days without power, demanding that the government resolve the situation.

UCH, established in 1952 and serving as Nigeria’s oldest teaching hospital, has been a cornerstone of healthcare in the region, with a storied history dating back to colonial times. Once a prestigious hospital favored by Saudi royals, the hospital now struggles with a collapsed infrastructure and financial constraints, exacerbated by the high cost of electricity.

This crisis has been compounded by the national grid’s frequent breakdowns, and UCH’s current financial burden is the result of a failed electricity sector, where the Transmission Company of Nigeria, owned by the government, has failed to stabilize power supply

Trade union leader Oladayo Olabampe expressed frustration over the government’s neglect, pointing out that the hospital, which serves the public, is left to grapple with bills that are unsustainable.