VC Orders Shutdown Of UNIBEN Over Students’ Protest

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof Lilian Salami, has ordered the immediate shutdown of the institution.

The VC’s decision was as a result of a massive protest staged by students on Tuesday due to a N20,000 late registration fee which the school authority imposed.

The students described the increment as distressing considering the “unfavourable economic situation’’ in the country, reports vanguard.

The students were said to have blocked the Benin-Lagos expressway as well as the Ekheuan Road.

According to a statement issued by the Registrar of the institution, Mr Ademola Bobola, the VC ordered all students to vacate the University premises latest by 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,” he said.

He said the decision was based on security reports and to avoid the students’ action being hijacked by hoodlums.

The University had only just resumed for the 2020 to 2021 academic session on Wednesday.