A fire outbreak at an MTN booster station within the University of Ibadan has sparked fresh concerns about the safety of telecommunications infrastructure in public institutions.
The incident, which occurred around 4 a.m. on Saturday near the Faculty of Nursing, was reportedly caused by an electrical surge.
Eyewitnesses described how the sudden blaze triggered panic among those nearby.
Key telecommunications equipment, including a Mikano generator and an electrical circuit board, was destroyed before firefighters brought the situation under control.
Special Adviser on Fire Services Reform to Governor Seyi Makinde, Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident, stating that the Oyo State Fire Service, alongside UI’s fire marshals, swiftly intervened to prevent further damage.
“Our team, led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent Olubunmi, arrived on time and worked effectively to extinguish the fire,” Akinwande said.
Experts warn that without regular inspections and upgrades, similar occurrences could pose risks to both lives and critical communication services.
Authorities are yet to confirm the full extent of the damage, but stakeholders have called for urgent measures to prevent future incidents.
