BREAKING: UNIBEN Shut Down After Heavy Protest, Students Ordered To Vacate Immediately

The Senate of the University of Benin has suspended academic activities indefinitely following protests by students on Wednesday.

In a statement released on Thursday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Benedicta Ehanire, clarified that the shutdown only affects academic operations, and non-academic staff are not impacted.

The university has also directed students to vacate their hostels immediately.

The statement read: “Due to the refusal of University of Benin students to reconsider their demands for a 24-hour electricity supply and other unrealistic expectations, the University Senate has decided to shut down academic activities indefinitely. Students are required to leave the hostels immediately, and all relevant university units should take note and comply. Non-teaching staff and essential duty staff are exempt from this shutdown.”

On Wednesday, UNIBEN students blocked the Benin-Ore Highway to protest ongoing power outages on their campus. The lack of electricity has significantly hindered their preparation for the first-semester examinations, which are just two weeks away.

The students’ demand for a 24-hour electricity supply has been deemed unrealistic by the university management, prompting the decision to shut down academic activities.