The University of Benin (UNIBEN) authorities have indefinitely suspended academic activities, following student protests over power outages on campus.
Students began a peaceful demonstration on Monday, responding to a power disconnection by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) due to unpaid debts.
The university’s monthly electricity bill reportedly skyrocketed from around N80 million to between N200 and N280 million, compelling the institution to rely on generators and ration electricity across its campuses and hostels.
Despite appeals from the university Senate to halt the protests, the students persisted in their demands for 24-hour electricity supply, deemed unrealistic by the university administration.
Dr. Benedicta Ekhanire, the university’s public relations officer, announced the closure in a statement: “Following the refusal of students 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 also instructed students to vacate the hostels immediately, while noting that non-teaching staff and those on essential duties are exempt from the shutdown.
The indefinite closure underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the university in managing escalating operational costs and maintaining stable power supply, amid broader infrastructural and financial pressures.
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