The University of Benin’s management has shutdown all academic operations on Thursday and ordered students to evacuate their dormitories without delay.
In a statement published on Thursday, Benedicta Ehanire, the university’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed this.
The students protested on Wednesday, voicing their discontent with the electricity rationing and several other longstanding complaints.
They blocked the Benin-Ore highway, which caused gridlock and untold hardship to commuters.
Some of the students on Wednesday said that they would not leave the highway until their demands were met.
However, the Senate of the institution held a meeting on Wednesday in order to meet with the students to see how the issue can be resolved.
It said that the school would be shut down if the talks with the students fail.
In her statement, Ehanire said the unrealistic demands of the students necessitated the action of the management.
The statement read, “Following the refusal of students of the University of Benin to shift grounds on their demands for 24-hour supply of electricity and more, considered unrealistic by the university’s Senate, the university has shut down academic activities indefinitely.
“Students are to vacate the hostels immediately while all the 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 institution’s power supply was disconnected by BEDC PLC after it failed to settle an electricity bill exceeding N250 million.
The university, which was previously paying N80 million, is now facing difficulties in paying the increased bill, leading to a power outage and hardship for the students.
Punch
