UCH Resident Doctors Begin Three-Day Warning Strike Over Electricity Crisis

Resident doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, have commenced a three-day warning strike over persistent electricity outages affecting the College of Medicine area.

The industrial action, which began at 8 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2026, was announced by the Association of Resident Doctors, UCH, following an emergency general meeting.

In a communiqué signed by the association’s President, Dr Uthman Adedeji, and General Secretary, Dr Mary Awodiji, the doctors said the strike followed unsuccessful engagements with relevant stakeholders over the prolonged power crisis.

According to the association, the College of Medicine axis has suffered years of inadequate attention, with the situation worsening in January 2026 after a faulty circuit breaker disrupted electricity supply to the area.

The doctors said the breaker supplying the area was reportedly removed to maintain electricity supply to the main hospital complex, leaving residents without power for several months.

Following an ultimatum issued in August, a replacement breaker was purchased and installed on September 10, restoring electricity to the area. However, the improvement was short-lived, as another electrical fault occurred on September 20, leading to the removal of the newly installed breaker.

The association said the prolonged outage had caused severe hardship for resident doctors and other health workers living in the area.

It added that the lack of electricity had also contributed to persistent water shortages, forcing residents to obtain water from private businesses and places of worship within the hospital premises.

The doctors expressed concern over the effect of the situation on residents’ welfare, public health and security, accusing the relevant authorities of failing to address the problem with the urgency it requires.

After deliberations, the association resolved to demand the immediate restoration of electricity to the affected College of Medicine area.

It said its members would review the situation at the expiration of the three-day warning strike and could consider an indefinite strike if their demands remained unmet.

The action adds to ongoing concerns over electricity supply and infrastructure challenges at the teaching hospital, where health workers have previously raised concerns about power distribution and its impact on hospital operations.