A major fire outbreak at an MTN booster station within the University of Ibadan (UI) sent shockwaves through the campus in the early hours of Saturday, February 22, 2025. The inferno, reportedly triggered by an electrical surge, engulfed critical telecommunications infrastructure before being contained by swift emergency response teams.
According to The Nation Newspaper, the booster station, situated within the Faculty of Nursing, was severely impacted, with key equipment—including a Mikano generator, electrical boards, and other telecommunications gadgets—completely razed.
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Yemi Akinyinka, stated that the fire was reported precisely at 4:00 AM. He noted that firefighters from both the state fire service and the university’s emergency response team acted swiftly to prevent further escalation.
“Oyo State Fire Service’s prompt response, alongside the university’s fire marshals, ensured that the fire at the MTN booster station beside the Faculty of Nursing was completely extinguished,” Akinyinka said. “On arrival, our team, led by ACFS Olubunmi, found the Mikano generator and electrical board engulfed in flames. We immediately launched suppression efforts, successfully dousing the fire.”
The blaze, which briefly disrupted telecommunications operations, has raised concerns about electrical safety and infrastructure resilience within the university. Investigations into the exact cause of the surge and possible preventive measures are expected to follow.
Authorities have assured the public that there were no casualties, and efforts are already underway to restore the damaged communication facilities.
PIONEER NEWS 