Osun: Frustration Grows As Ila Orangun Suffers Months-Long Blackout
Tension is brewing in Ila-Orangun, an ancient town in Osun State, as residents, students, and business owners lament over a protracted power outage that has thrown the community into darkness for over three months.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the blackout, which residents say began in early February, has paralysed commercial activities and crippled daily life in the town.
From hairdressers and welders to students preparing for crucial examinations, the ripple effects of the outage continue to deepen economic and social distress.
Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER, Mrs. Rofiat Adebayo, a frozen foods seller in the town, said she had lost over N500,000 in goods since February due to lack of electricity.
“I bought another generator to keep my business running, but with fuel at over ₦750 per litre, I couldn’t cope. I eventually shut down. How are we supposed to survive?” she asked, visibly distressed.
Students at the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun and Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun are also bearing the brunt of the crisis.
“We read with torches or phone lights. Our hostel is always hot. You can’t even charge your phone without paying every time,” said John Alade, a final-year student of Biology Education.
In a renewed effort to press for action, a youth-led civic group, Ila-Orangun Voice of the Youths (IVY), has announced plans to host a Stakeholders’ Forum on Thursday, 22nd May, at the Ila City Hall.
The meeting, according to the organisers, will bring together residents, community leaders, politicians, and officials of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to address the lingering power crisis.
Mr. Wale Ogunyemi, a coordinator of IVY, told OSUN DEFENDER that the forum became necessary after months of silence from key stakeholders.
“IBEDC has failed to give a definite answer. We are tired of technical excuses. Our people are suffering,” he said.
The Orangun of Ila, HRM Oba Abdulwahab Kayode Oyedotun, had earlier convened a similar meeting in April where representatives of IBEDC attributed the outage to “technical faults” and promised that efforts were underway to restore power.
However, no timeline was provided.
Despite assurances that residents would not be billed during the blackout, many remain sceptical and fear they may eventually be charged for unused electricity.
Ifeoma Onu, a tailor, said, “We are calling on the government and IBEDC to fix this mess. We are not asking for too much — just light. How can a whole town be in darkness for months in 2025?”
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
