The University of Benin (UNIBEN) Senate has suspended academic activities following protests on Wednesday.
In a statement released on Thursday, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Benedicta Ehanire, clarified that the shutdown does not apply to non-academic staff.
The university has also instructed students to vacate their hostels immediately.
“Following the refusal of students of the University of Benin to shift grounds on their demands for twenty-four hours supply of electricity and more, considered unrealistic by the University’s Senate, the University has shut down academic activities indefinitely,” the statement read.
“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.”
UNIBEN students protested on Wednesday by blocking the busy Benin-Ore Highway due to weeks of power outages on their campus.
The prolonged power cut has significantly affected their preparation for the upcoming first-semester examinations, which are just two weeks away.
The students are demanding a 24-hour electricity supply in the university, a request the management has labeled as unrealistic.
See the full statement below:
UNIBEN SHUTS DOWN ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES INDEFINITELY.
Following the in refusal of students of the University of Benin to shift grounds on their demands for twenty four hours 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 shut down
Signed:
Benedicta Ehanire, Ph.D,anipr
DR/ PRO
4/7/24