The University of Benin, UNIBEN has taken the decision to indefinitely halt academic activities and ordered all students to vacate their hostels immediately, following protests over electricity rationing and other grievances.
This action was communicated through a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Benedicta Ehanire, on Thursday.
The protests, which included students blocking the Benin-Ore highway causing severe traffic congestion, centered on demands for 24-hour electricity supply among other issues.
Despite efforts by the university’s Senate to engage with the students and resolve the situation, the management found the demands unrealistic and opted to shut down operations.
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Ehanire’s statement clarified the rationale behind the closure, citing the students’ refusal to compromise on their demands deemed unfeasible by the university authorities. She outlined the immediate evacuation of students from hostels and instructed all university units to adhere to the directive, while ensuring that essential staff continue their duties unaffected by the shutdown.
The decision to suspend academic activities comes in the wake of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) disconnecting the university due to an outstanding bill exceeding N250 million. Previously, the institution paid N80 million, but the increased bill has led to power outages, exacerbating hardships faced by students.
This development underscores the ongoing challenges between educational institutions and utility providers regarding service affordability, impacting the academic environment and student welfare at the University of Benin.
