Residents and youths of Boripe Local Government Area in Osun State have escalated their frustration with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) by issuing a stern seven-day ultimatum demanding the immediate restoration of stable and reliable power supply to several affected communities.
The protest, spearheaded by members of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Boripe chapter, saw angry demonstrators storm the company's regional office in Osogbo, the state capital. Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the group highlighted the severe hardships caused by weeks — and in some cases months — of erratic and prolonged blackouts that have plunged many households and businesses into darkness.
The group's coordinator, Hammed Oyetunji, issued a strongly worded statement from Osogbo, detailing the widespread impact of the power crisis. He described how the persistent outages have severely disrupted daily life, crippled economic activities, and created immense hardship for residents, traders, artisans, students, and small business owners across the local government area.
Oyetunji emphasized that electricity is a fundamental driver of economic development, public safety, and overall quality of life. "The absence of electricity has disrupted economic activities and daily life for residents," he stated. "For weeks, our communities have been subjected to prolonged blackout, causing serious hardship to residents, business owners, students, and artisans."
He pointed out that the lack of steady power has particularly devastated small-scale entrepreneurs who rely on electricity for essential operations such as refrigeration, powering tools, running pumps, and lighting shops. Many business owners have been compelled to turn to expensive alternatives like petrol or diesel generators, significantly inflating their operational costs amid already rising living expenses and economic pressures.
"Small businesses are incurring additional costs through alternative power sources, while students preparing for examinations are struggling to study effectively at night," Oyetunji added. Households, too, face mounting financial strain from fuel purchases and spoiled perishable goods, further compounding the economic toll on families already grappling with inflation and limited income opportunities.
The youth leader called on IBEDC to act swiftly, provide a transparent explanation for the outages, and implement measures to restore consistent supply. He stressed that continued neglect could no longer be tolerated, as it threatens livelihoods, education, and community well-being.
Tensions reached a peak last week when the protesters marched to the IBEDC regional office in Osogbo. Security personnel were deployed around the premises to maintain order and prevent any escalation into violence. Despite the heavy presence of law enforcement, the demonstrators remained peaceful but resolute, refusing to leave until their grievances were formally acknowledged.
During the demonstration, the youths formally presented their demands, including the restoration of the affected Boripe communities to Band A electricity classification — a premium service tier that promises a minimum of 20 hours of daily supply under Nigeria's electricity tariff framework. They warned that failure to comply within seven days would lead to further lawful and collective actions, potentially including reconsidering access for IBEDC personnel in the area and additional protests.
In response to the mounting complaints, IBEDC attributed the widespread power challenges to systemic issues beyond its direct control. The company pointed to reduced power generation nationwide, primarily due to shortages in gas supply to thermal power plants feeding the national grid managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
"Gas supply shortages to electricity generation plants have significantly reduced generation capacity nationwide, forcing distribution companies to implement increased load shedding," IBEDC explained in an official statement. The company noted that electricity demand in its franchise areas — covering parts of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, and Ekiti states — has surged, particularly after the expansion of Band A feeders in various locations.
IBEDC further highlighted the instability in the volume of energy allocated to it from the national grid, creating a persistent gap between consumer demand and available supply for distribution. This national-level constraint has led to unavoidable rationing and load shedding across its network.
Despite the challenges, the distribution company expressed empathy for affected customers and apologised for the disruptions. "We understand the frustration this situation has created among our customers and sincerely apologise for the disruption to homes, businesses, and economic activities," the statement read. IBEDC assured residents that ongoing efforts are in place to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including gas suppliers and the transmission company, to stabilise and improve power availability.
The protest in Boripe is part of a broader wave of public discontent over electricity supply in Osun State and other regions served by IBEDC. Similar demonstrations have occurred in nearby areas like Osogbo, Iwo, and other communities, reflecting deep-seated frustration with Nigeria's chronic power sector challenges.
As the seven-day deadline approaches, attention now turns to whether IBEDC can deliver tangible improvements or if the situation will trigger escalated actions from the aggrieved youths and residents. The outcome could set a precedent for how distribution companies respond to community-led demands amid ongoing national grid and generation constraints.
For many in Boripe and across Osun, reliable electricity is not just a convenience but a lifeline for survival, productivity, and progress in an increasingly challenging economic environment.
