UCH installs new power substation amid recurring electricity crisis

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, says it is installing a new 11kV substation, with electricity supply from the national grid to its main hospital expected to be restored on Wednesday.

The hospital said installation of the new substation had reached 60 per cent completion as of Monday, and that the project was expected to be completed in time for the restoration of primary grid power on November 11.

In a progress update shared on its Facebook page, UCH said the old substation was decommissioned on Friday, 6 November, while installation of the replacement equipment began the following day.

It added that generators were being used to supply critical areas of the hospital during the installation.

“System commissioning and final restoration of primary grid power to the main hospital are projected for Wednesday, November 11, 2026,” the hospital said.

The hospital did not disclose major reasons for the new installation, nor clarify whether the new substation would address electricity challenges beyond the main hospital or resolve the separate problems reported around the College of Medicine axis.

However, the installation comes amid recurring electricity challenges at the federal government-owned hospital, which have been disrupting operations and triggered protests by healthcare workers.

In October 2026, resident doctors at the hospital embarked on a three-day warning strike over persistent electricity failures and water shortages around the College of Medicine axis.

The doctors demanded the restoration of electricity to the affected area, urgent repairs to faulty circuit breakers and more reliable power supply across the hospital.

Although the doctors suspended the strike on 15 October, they had warned that unresolved electricity and water challenges could lead to further industrial action.

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In March 2026, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the hospital was grappling with another power crisis, with workers and patients raising concerns about the impact of electricity shortages on healthcare delivery.

The crisis followed an earlier disconnection from the national grid by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in October 2024 over outstanding electricity bills. The hospital’s management had said the accumulated bills amounted to about N3.1 billion at the time.