Breaking: UNIBEN Shuts Down Academic Activities Indefinitely Due to Persistent Student Protests

Breaking: UNIBEN Shuts Down Academic Activities Indefinitely Due to Persistent Student ProtestsThe University of Benin (UNIBEN) has announced an indefinite suspension of all academic activities following a student protest that has brought the campus to a standstill.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Thursday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, cited the students’ refusal to compromise on their demands as the primary reason for the shutdown.

On Wednesday, students blocked the busy Benin-Ore Highway to protest prolonged power outages on campus, which they claim have severely disrupted their preparation for the upcoming first semester examinations, scheduled to take place in two weeks.

Adding to their grievances, the students called for a reduction in the recently increased transport fares by the UNIBEN shuttle service, effective from July 1.

The university has been dealing with a power crisis since the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) disconnected their supply due to unresolved billing disputes. The monthly electricity bill reportedly soared from approximately N80 million to between N200 and N280 million, forcing the institution to rely on power generators and implement power rationing across the two campuses and hostels.

Despite heavy rainfall, protesting students vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands were met.

Dr. Ehanire, in the closure notice provided to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), described the students’ demand for continuous 24-hour electricity supply as unrealistic.

“Following the insistence of students of the University of Benin to shift grounds on their demands for twenty-four-hour supply of electricity and more, considered unrealistic by the university’s Senate, the university has shut down academic activities indefinitely,” Ehanire stated.

“Students are to vacate the hostels immediately, while all relevant units of the university are to take note and comply. However, non-teaching staff and staff on essential duties are not affected by the shutdown,” the university spokesperson added.