The Management of University of Benin, UNIBEN, on Thursday said it has shut down academic activities indefinitely over protest by students over cut from power supply by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEEC, which also affected water supply to students’ hostels.
UNIBEN has been without electricity and water supply for over a month, which eventually sparked protest by the students on Wednesday.
Following the unrest in the campuses of the the institution, spokesperson of the university, Benedicta Ehanire in a statement said students have been ordered to vacate the 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,” Ehanire said.
According to him, all the relevant units of the University are expected to take note and comply.
“However, non-teaching staff and staff on essential duties are not affected by the shutdown,” she added.
It remains to be seen how both parties intend to come to terms over the impasse that is expected to halt the institution’s academic calendar for the session.
