Historic Bodija Estate Faces Power Collapse
The Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA) has made an urgent appeal to Nigeria's Minister of Power to immediately address the worsening electricity situation affecting multiple communities across Ibadan. The plea covers Old Bodija, New Bodija, Basorun, Iwo Road, Oje, Mokola and surrounding neighborhoods that have endured unreliable power supply for over five years.
Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, President of BERA, revealed in a statement to journalists that the community established in 1959 under Chief Obafemi Awolowo's government now faces severe power degradation. Nigeria's first planned residential estate, once a model of urban development, now experiences electricity outages lasting days or even weeks without proper communication from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
Failed Band A Promises and Transformer Overload
Residents expressed frustration that despite initially being classified under Band A category guaranteeing 20 hours of daily electricity, the community never received this service while paying premium tariffs. Following the federal government's April 2024 tariff adjustment that increased Band A rates to ₦225 per kWh, the area was downgraded to Band B with promised 16 hours of daily power - another commitment that remains unfulfilled.
The core of the problem lies with the 40 MVA transformer managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which services Bodija and surrounding communities. This critical infrastructure is reportedly overloaded and incapable of meeting the growing electricity demands across the districts it serves.
December 2025 Deadline Set for Government Action
BERA has specifically requested the Minister of Power and Federal Government to approve and expedite installation of a new transformer before the end of December 2025. Residents believe this single intervention would restore reliable electricity, boost local business operations, and significantly improve quality of life for thousands of affected households.
The association emphasized that resolving the power crisis would honor Bodija's historical significance as Nigeria's pioneering organized housing estate while demonstrating government commitment to equitable power distribution and sustainable community development.
In related developments, IBEDC Managing Director Engr. Francis Agoha recently reaffirmed the company's dedication to improving power supply reliability during a strategic breakfast meeting with Maximum Demand customers. The event at Jogor Centre formed part of activities marking the 2025 Customer Service Week under the theme "Mission: Possible," where Agoha described the gathering as a platform to appreciate and engage key industrial and commercial customers.
