Unseen Danger: The Crisis of Unlit Roads In the University of Ibadan

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Oluseun Fatope

The University of Ibadan (UI), celebrated as Nigeria’s premier institution, boasts a reputation for academic excellence and picturesque surroundings. However, when the sun sets, the campus plunges into near-total darkness, exposing a glaring infrastructural failure: the absence of functional street lights on critical roads. This deficiency raises pressing concerns about safety, accessibility, and the university’s administrative priorities.

Navigating the UI campus after dusk has become a precarious challenge for students, staff, and visitors. Key routes leading to residential halls, academic buildings, and recreational spaces are shrouded in darkness, leaving pedestrians to rely on the glow of phone flashlights or the occasional headlights of passing vehicles.

“The lack of streetlights is not just inconvenient; it’s a safety hazard,” laments Tunde Adeyemi, a final-year Economics student. “We have to be constantly alert, fearing potential accidents or security incidents.”

Tunde’s concerns are shared by many on campus. The absence of proper illumination leaves pedestrians vulnerable to tripping on uneven pavements, while the obscurity creates a conducive atmosphere for opportunistic crimes.

Zoo junction, adjacent old football pitch at night.

Even lecturers are disheartened by the situation. Dr. Bola Ogunleye, a lecturer in the Faculty of Science, expresses her disappointment at how the university’s decaying infrastructure undermines its esteemed status.

“The University of Ibadan is a symbol of excellence, yet basic amenities like functional streetlights are lacking,” she remarks. “It’s baffling that an institution of this calibre hasn’t prioritized such a fundamental aspect of safety.”

Dr. Ogunleye notes how the issue affects her evening classes. “When my lectures extend to 7 pm, I often have to cut them short for the students’ safety. This disruption affects my schedule and denies students the chance to delve deeper into the topics.”

Efforts to address the problem have been sluggish, with no clear roadmap for improvement. Attempts to contact the university’s Facility Management Unit yielded vague promises about plans to rehabilitate the lighting system, but these assurances remain unfulfilled.

“We’ve heard these assurances for years,” Tunde explains. “Nothing ever changes. They talk about limited funding, but this issue should be a priority.”

The frustration is palpable among students, many of whom believe collective action is needed. Advocacy groups and student unions have considered petitions and protests to demand tangible progress, though efforts so far have seen little success.

The psychological toll of unlit roads cannot be overstated. For many students, moving around campus at night has become a source of anxiety.

“I don’t feel safe walking from the library to my hostel after 7 pm,” says Maryam Yusuf, a postgraduate Sociology student. “I’ve started avoiding late-night study sessions altogether, even though I’m more productive in the evenings.”

This sentiment is echoed by others who feel the lack of safety is hindering their academic and extracurricular pursuits. The darkness discourages participation in evening activities such as studying, sports, and socialising, all of which are vital for holistic development.

The absence of functional streetlights highlights broader issues of infrastructure maintenance and prioritisation within the institution. Despite paying various fees, including development levies, students and staff question how these funds are allocated.

Barth road at night.

The issue also reflects the state of public infrastructure in Nigeria. If the nation’s oldest and most prestigious university struggles to maintain basic amenities, what does this imply for lesser-funded institutions?

To resolve this pressing issue, the university administration and relevant stakeholders must act swiftly. Proposed solutions include auditing the state of streetlights across campus to identify areas needing immediate attention, exploring solar-powered lighting as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative, and establishing a feedback system for students and staff to report infrastructure issues and track progress.

The University of Ibadan must recognise that unlit roads are more than an inconvenience; they are a threat to the safety, productivity, and well-being of its community. Addressing this issue is not merely about restoring light but reviving the vibrancy of campus life, ensuring a safe, conducive environment for learning and growth.

Until these measures are implemented, the shadow of neglect will continue to loom over the institution, tarnishing its reputation as a beacon of academic excellence.

In an interview with AFAS Press, Prof. Bamidele Dahunsi, Director of Physical Planning and Project Development, stated that the non-functioning streetlights on Oduduwa Road must be a recent issue, as they were working previously.

“They must have developed faults recently because I am just getting to know about it not working now,” he said.

The Professor of Civil Engineering also stated maintaining the infrastructure on campus is the prerogative of the works and maintenance unit.

“However, I will interface with the Works and Maintenance Unit, the electrical department of the unit will see to it,” he assured.

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