The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has indefinitely suspended academic activities following protests by students over prolonged power and water supply issues. The protests stemmed from over a month of electricity and water shortages affecting student hostels, leading to unrest on campus.
In response to the students’ demands for 24-hour electricity supply, which the university deemed unrealistic, the decision to shut down was made by the University Senate. Benedicta Ehanire, the university spokesperson, stated that students have been instructed to vacate the hostels immediately.
Ehanire emphasized that non-teaching staff and those on essential duties are not affected by the shutdown. The university administration and students’ representatives will need to find a resolution to the ongoing impasse, which threatens to disrupt the academic calendar for the session.