Sagamu Youths Storm IBEDC, TCN Office At Ibadan In Historic Move Over Electricity Outages

Save Our Nation SON

Published on March 12, 2026

…Sagamu Youth leaders seek Band upgrade, accuse DisCo of poor supply despite huge monthly revenue

In what has been described as a historic intervention in the electricity crisis affecting Sagamu, the Sagamu Youth Association (SYA) has taken its campaign for improved power supply directly to the authorities, holding a high-level meeting with officials of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at their Sub-region head office in Ibadan. Demographics

The meeting, which took place with representatives of both agencies, marked the first time in the history of the association that a delegation of Sagamu youths jointly visited the offices of IBEDC and TCN at Ibadan in a single day to press for lasting solutions to electricity challenges affecting the town.

The delegation was led by the President of the Sagamu Youth Association, Comrade Olugbenga Lawal, popularly known as Ambassador Easy, alongside the Chairman of the SYA Committee on Electricity Issues, Comrade Bashiru Hammed Adewale, also known as Honourable Prince Lahbash.

Speaking during the meeting, Adewale (Prince Lahbash) said the association embarked on the engagement to convey the growing frustration of residents and businesses in Sagamu over persistent power outages, poor electricity distribution, and what many described as excessive billing despite inadequate supply.

According to him, the association deemed it necessary to confront the electricity distribution and transmission authorities directly in order to find sustainable solutions to the long-standing power challenges confronting the town.

Among the major issues raised by the Sagamu youths was the decision to classify the community under Band E electricity supply, a category that guarantees the least hours of power supply.

The youths argued that such classification does not reflect the economic and industrial importance of Sagamu, stressing that the town deserves to be upgraded to Band B or at least Band C in line with its population and commercial activities.

They also demanded the installation of two additional 15MVA transformers in Akarigbo and Igbobi stationed areas of Sagamu to boost electricity distribution capacity.

The association further expressed concern that despite reports indicating that IBEDC generates over N4.5 billion monthly from customers in Sagamu and its environs, the community continues to suffer frequent power outages and unstable electricity supply.

Other concerns raised at the meeting included the communication gap between electricity providers and consumers, complaints about estimated billing in the absence of stable electricity supply, and the controversial practice where communities are required to contribute money for the installation or repair of transformers.

Responding to the concerns, officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria explained some of the technical constraints affecting electricity supply to Sagamu.

An official of the agency, Engr. Dairo, revealed that Sagamu currently receives about 128 megawatts of electricity allocation, which represents a reduction from the previous 140 megawatts following regulatory directives.

He also explained that the transmission network serving the area currently operates with three transformers, each with a capacity of about 120 megawatts.

According to him, when faults occur within the transmission system, they are usually resolved within two hours, noting however that many disruptions are linked to generation challenges at the national level.

Another TCN official, Engr. Timo, clarified that the agency’s mandate is limited to transmitting electricity to distribution companies, adding that issues relating to electricity bands such as Band A, B, C, or E fall under the jurisdiction of electricity distribution companies and regulators.

On his part, Comrade Ifedayo Oluwaseun, popularly known as Asiwaju, urged the electricity authorities to increase the volume of electricity distributed to Sagamu in order to ensure adequate circulation across the town.

Also speaking, the SYA President, Ambassador Easy, appealed to the officials to escalate the grievances of Sagamu residents to their management and take urgent steps to prevent rising public frustration over the electricity situation.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of IBEDC, the regulatory officer, Ayodeji Ajayi, attributed the electricity challenges facing Sagamu to a combination of factors including rapid population growth, increasing industrial activities, and security challenges in some areas.

He noted that the electricity infrastructure serving the town was designed more than two decades ago and has not been sufficiently upgraded despite the expansion of the community.

Ajayi also explained that electricity supply to the area dates back to 1956 when transmission lines were connected from Kainji through Ayede, with about 30 megawatts transmitted from Ayede and between 15 and 25 megawatts allocated to Sagamu.

According to him, while the population and economic activities in the town have grown significantly over the years, the infrastructure supporting electricity supply has largely remained unchanged.

He assured the youths that plans for improvements and upgrades are being considered to address the situation.

Representatives of IBEDC present at the meeting included Mr. Adesua, Head of Technical at the Ibadan Regional Office; Mrs. Olaleye; and Ayodeji Ajayi, the regulatory officer. Demographics

The TCN delegation included Engr. Dairo, Engr. Salaudeen, Engr. Asake, and Engr. Timo.

Members of the Sagamu Youth Association who participated in the engagement included the SYA President, Comrade Olugbenga Lawal (Ambassador Easy); the Chairman of the Electricity Committee, Comrade Bashiru Hammed Adewale (Honourable Prince Lahbash); the Stakeholders Chairman, Comrade Aremu Rasaq Adekunle; Comrade Ifedayo Oluwaseun (Asiwaju); Comrade Muyideen Sosanwo; Comrade Dumiye Bukola; Comrade Awofodu Seun; Comrade Mandela; Comrade Oluwanisola Abiodun; and Comrade Ogunsola Olamide.

At the end of the meeting, officials of both IBEDC and TCN assured the Sagamu youths that the issues raised would be communicated to their senior management for urgent attention.

They also promised to organize a broader stakeholders’ meeting in Sagamu soon where all parties involved in the electricity value chain will engage directly with the community to discuss lasting solutions to the town’s power supply challenges.

The engagement has been widely described by participants as a landmark step by the Sagamu Youth Association in advocating for improved infrastructure and better living conditions for residents of the town.