UNIBEN students protest over N20, 000 late registration fee

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Lilian Salami, has announced the immediate shutdown of the university following the protest that rocked the institution on Tuesday.

UNIBEN students had blocked the Benin-Lagos expressway and the Ekheuan road over an N20,000 late registration fee imposed by the school authority.

They described this decision as unpleasant, particularly amidst the “unfavorable economic situation’’ in the country.

In a statement issued by the UNIBEN registrar, Ademola Bobola, Ms. Salami ordered all students to vacate their hostels and the university premises no later than noon on Wednesday.

“The vice-chancellor has reviewed the agitation by a section of the students’ body on Tuesday. After due consultation and in the overall interest of the general students’ body, the vice-chancellor has, on behalf of Senate, approved the closure of the university with immediate effect,” the UNIBEN statement said.

It explained that “based on security reports to avoid the students’ action being hijacked by hoodlums” and prevent “any form of breakdown of law and order” within and outside UNIBEN campuses.

The university opened for the 2020/2021 academic session on Wednesday.

(NAN)