Student Protest: UNIBEN Warns of Potential Shutdown If Talks Collapse

The Senate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) said on Wednesday that they might have to close the school if talks with the protesting students do not work out.

Earlier in the day, students started protesting because they have had no electricity for weeks. They also have other problems. The students took to the streets because they are worried it’s affecting their study time. They have exams coming up in just two weeks.

Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, who speaks for the university, said in a statement that the Senate had a special meeting about the protests. They think it’s very sad that students are protesting.

The Senate is also upset that students blocked a major road. This made things hard for people traveling.

Some Senate members have been asked to keep talking to the students. The students want 24-hour electricity like they had before, but the university was cut off by the electricity company (BEDC). This happened because of a big bill of over N250 million that the university owes the electricity company.

The Senate said there are also two other issues the students are protesting: the high cost of food and transportation. But these problems are not something the university can control.

The statement also mentioned that if talking does not solve the problem and the protest goes on, the Senate will have no other choice but to close the university.